Best Bets For Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington

The Coolmore Stud Stakes is one of the feature races at Flemington on Saturday on Victoria Derby Day. It is open to three-year-olds, and it takes place over the distance of 1,200 metres.

Here is a look at the best bets for the Coolmore Stud Stakes and some of the supporting races on the card at Flemington.

BEST BET: Beiwacht

Race no. tbc (Coolmore Stud Stakes)

Beiwacht produced a career-best performance in the Golden Rose at Rosehill earlier this month to elevate himself to the top end of Chris Waller’s pecking order. The three-year-old colt hit the front with 400 metres to go, and he soon stretched away from his rivals to win the Group One contest by just over four lengths with a record time.

Going into the Golden Rose, Tempted was the colt that was expected to be Godolphin’s big player in the three-year-old division this season. However, Beiwacht has now snatched that position. If he adds another Group One prize here to his CV, they will be looking at the colt as a potential stallion for the operation in the future.

Waller has won the Coolmore Stud Stakes six times in his career, so he knows exactly the type of horse needed for this contest. The trainer has seen some similarities in Beiwacht and his previous winners of this race, which is why he feels his raider has an excellent chance of improving his impressive record.

Dubai and Royal Ascot are potential options for the son of Bivouac in early 2026, but he can travel to those international targets with multiple Group One wins behind him, including a triumph in the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington.

SECOND BEST BET: KING ZEPHYR

Race no. tbc (Damien Oliver)

With six victories from 10 starts, King Zephyr has an excellent record on the track. His latest success came at Sandown, where he won a valuable handicap over 1,400 metres, prevailing by just under two lengths.

Grahame Begg’s gelding was unable to successfully follow up on his latest outing at Caulfield in the Weekend Hussler, but he was very game in that defeat, coming home second of nine runners, a length behind Zou Sensation.

A return to Flemington should suit King Zephyr in the Damien Oliver (1,400m). He can reverse the form with Zou Sensation and pick up the biggest prize of his career to date.

BEST VALUE: SHE’S BULLETPROOF

Race no. tbc (Kirin Ichiban Sprint)

Generosity is the red-hot favourite for the Kirin Ichiban Spring on Victoria Derby Day, but he can be taken on in the leading sprint contest on the card with She’s Bulletproof. The five-year-old mare was back in the winner’s enclosure last time in the Group Three Northwood Plume Stakes at Caulfield.

Charlotte Littlefield’s sprinter ran exceptionally well in some Group One races last season, including when a close second behind Jimmysstar in the Oakleigh Plate. She enjoys it at Flemington, and if at her best, she will take some beating in this field.