Not only will the winner of the race have the honour of claiming the first Group 1 race of the VRC Carnival, they’ll also stamp themselves as a commercial stallion of the future. With past winners including Sepoy, Star Witness, Zoustar and most recently, Brazen Beau, all standing at stud – there’s so much more at stake in Saturday’s race than the first prize cheque of $300,000.00. The past three winners of the Coolmore Stud Stakes have come out of Sydney’s Roman Consul Stakes and that trifecta from this year’s edition, Russian Revolution, Astern and Capitalist will be out to make it four. The Sydney form has been outstanding so far this spring, but the very exciting Extreme Choice from Mick Price’s Caulfield Stables, will give the local plenty to cheer for.

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1. CAPITALIST – B Shinn (7)
Scratched from last Friday’s Manikato Stakes after the rain arrived, where he was quoted a $6.00 chance. Form leading into that race had been disappointing for this year’s Golden Slipper – especially when some of those he defeated in the that race, Astern and Star Turn, have finished ahead of him since in his two runs back this season. Needs to lift, but he is from an astute yard that wouldn’t risk he’s value if he wasn’t 100%, and we’ll never know if the $6 for the Manikato was unders, or overs.

2. EXTREME CHOICE – C Newitt (3)
Only defeat for this Mick Price Trained gelding came in the Golden Slipper back in April – where nothing went right. Returned as a 3yo with an ultra impressive win against older horses in the G1 Moir Stakes (1000m), where he rocketed home out wide form the second half of the field. Professional as they come and will handle the straight course – rates highly.

3. ASTERN – J McDonald (8)
Won the G2 Run To The Roses first up, defeating Star Turn – a very impressive winner since, before an explosive victory in the G1 Golden Rose where the Godolphin enjoyed the solid tempo and 1400m, to storm home and win by 2.3 lengths. It was three weeks and return to the six furlong at his only start since in the G2 Roman Consul Stakes. As expected, he settled back but with a smaller field and the last 600m ran in 33.38, he wasn’t able to reel in winner Russian Revolution who led throughout and just lasted in holding off Astern’s challenge by a head. Shouldn’t have lost any admirers last start and will be steaming home.

4. FLYING ARTIE – H Bowman (1)
Commenced his 3yo season as the odds-on favourite in the G3 Blue Sapphire Stakes at Caulfield and although he made hard work of it but racing erratically in the straight, he still got the job done, winning by 1.25 lengths. Obviously fitter for that run and does boast a previous win over Star Turn and a second to Extreme Choice during his 2yo season. Gifted galloper but will need to do everything right on Saturday against a crack field.

5. STAR TURN – D Dunn (4)
Only defeat in his three runs back this season was to Astern – who had last shot at him, in the G2 Run To The Roses. Either side of that outing, he won the G3 Domenico Stakes and more recently, dealt the older horses a 2.25 length defeat in the G2 Schillaci Stakes after securing the run of the race. In great form, which has all been franked, and hard not to imagine him involved in the finish.
6. RUSSIAN REVOLUTION – K McEvoy (10)
Remained undefeated after four starts, by leading throughout to win the G2 Roman Consul Stakes and in the process, beat the very much in-form and odds-on favourite, Astern. Was able to set the tempo and skip home in good time in the Roman Consul, a race that has been a very good pointer to this particular event in recent years. Will improve further and again, give them plenty to run down.

7. SARACINO – M Zahra (5)
Kiwi galloper who won his Australian debut back in September – at Flemington, by defeating Archives – who won the G3 Red Anchor Stakes at Moonee Valley last Saturday. He didn’t have a great deal of room in the Guineas Prelude when searching for a run along the fence before finishing fifth to Sacred Elixir (good form), and after very similar run in transit in the G1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m), had his chance along the rails when sixth to Divine Prophet. Drops back to six furlongs now and meets a crack field of in-form sprinters which present a tough challenge.

8. ARCHIVES – C Williams (9)
After just holding his position in the Guineas Prelude over 1400m when ninth (3.5 lengths) behind Sacred Elixir, dropped back to 1200m and although nothing went right for him run, the big chestnut got the bob in right on the line, much to the delight of the punters who took the short odds, and claim the Red Anchor Stakes (1200m). The quick-back, against a much tougher field, will see him start at a much longer price this Saturday.

9. DERRYN – J Moreira
Always been some big wraps on this son of Hinchinbrook but as yet and he’ll have his fair share of supporters for Saturday’s race after his first up effort saw him finish third behind Flying Artie in the G3 Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m). Kept coming from his midfield position last start to finish 1.75 lengths behind the winner. He’ll benefit from that outing and did run a head second to Divine Prophet in the Up And Coming Stakes over 1200m earlier this year. His debut run was up the straight course at Flemington think he’ll appreciate the return. Might be worth including in some exotics for value.

10. MANOLO BLAHNIQ – S Arnold (6)
Former New Zealand galloper who now resides with Tony Noonan after a brief stint in Sydney. Won a G3 (1200m) on New Year’s Day back in NZ at his second career start, but since arriving in Australia, has been well accounted for in the 3yo races such as the San Domenico and Run To The Roses. His most recent start was better – he finished fifth (3 lengths) behind Flying Artie but, not good enough to see him winning here.

RACE OVERVIEW –

Only the second straight race for the day – so hard to predict with any certainty, which side of the track (if any) they head to. With gate 8, think no matter how they run this, Astern might have a few more options though than Extreme Choice, who jumps from three – so putting him on top. Although rolled as an odds-on pop last start, taking all into consideration it wasn’t has bad as it may have first appeared. He’ll be rocketing home. Extreme Choice’s win in the Moir was brilliant – would’ve have liked to see some he beat on that night come out and run well in the Manikato – but he did it in a style and with any luck from his draw, is the hardest to beat. Star Turn will camp closer to the speed and look the winner at some stage.

1. ASTERN
2. EXTREME CHOICE
3. STAR TURN
4. FLYING ARTIE