The 2024 Coolmore Stud Stakes kicked off Group 1 racing on Derby Day at Flemington and saw trainer Chris Waller take out the sprint for the sixth time in 11 years with a dominant display by Switzerland and jockey James McDonald.
McDonald rode his third winner in four years powering home over the final furlong to put a 2.5 length gap on the next best, Bellatrix Star, in an exciting finish to the Group 1 $2 million Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m).
Having ridden Home Affairs in 2021 and In Secret in 2022, J Mac was again on the right young horse to salute in the stallion-making six-furlong showdown at headquarters.
“This is one of the nicest colts I’ve sat on for a while. He’s been promising to do that,” McDonald told Channel 9.
“He’d come out so alertly. Mind was straight on the job, and I’m absolutely delighted for him, delighted for the connections, and I’ve got an absolute star colt on my hands.”
After jumping a length clear of anything else in the field, McDonald got Waller’s last start Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes winning Snitzel colt to settle beautifully and produce a powerful late burst right down the outside the closing stages.
“He’s a very well-bred colt,” Waller said post-victory.
“He’s raced by some great racing enthusiasts that have supported me with a stallion fund, and it’s important to win these types of races – a little bit differently to the first race where we just had an unknown filly.
“The colts winning today, it really is a big deal on the big stage.
“James rode it perfectly as we know James does and he’s part of history.”
Bodyguard led the Coolmore Stud Stakes field around getting out to a four-length lead midrace but faded late and eventually crossed dead last.
Mark Walker‘s classy Star Witness filly Bellatrix Star coming off a trio of lead-up wins in Melbourne ran second.
There was a dead heat for third with nothing on the line between Golden Slipper winning filly Lady Of Camelot and the beaten favourite Growing Empire to complete the Coolmore Stud Stakes trifecta.
Waller confirmed potential plans to head overseas with Switzerland following his success in the Coolmore.
“Well, the beauty of winning a Group One race, it takes a little bit of pressure off. We’ve got to just now maintain his value, so logically, races like the Newmarket and Royal Ascot would be in our consideration,” he told Racing.com.
Coolmore Stud Stakes 2024 Odds & Results
| Runner Details | Win | Place |
|---|---|---|
|
1st
5. Switzerland (8)
J: James McDonald 57kg
T: Chris Waller |
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|
2nd
14. Bellatrix Star (11)
J: Blake Shinn 55kg
T: Mark Walker |
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|
3rd
13. Lady Of Camelot (4)
J: Tim Clark 55kg
T: G Waterhouse & A Bott |
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|
4th
1. Growing Empire (9)
J: Mark Zahra 57kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
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|
5th
8. Gatsby's (7)
J: Damian Lane 57kg
T: Chris Waller |
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|
6th
9. Stoli Bolli (5)
J: Luke Currie 57kg
T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
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|
7th
2. Coleman (6)
J: Ethan Brown 57kg
T: Matt Laurie |
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|
8th
4. Bittercreek (13)
J: Ben Allen 57kg
T: L & T Corstens & W Larkin |
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|
9th
6. First Settler (10)
J: Michael Dee 57kg
T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr |
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|
10th
3. Traffic Warden (3)
J: Jamie Kah 57kg
T: James Cummings |
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|
11th
12. Gallant Son (12)
J: Luke Nolen 57kg
T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman |
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|
12th
10. Yoshinobu (1)
J: Jamie Mott 57kg
T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald |
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|
13th
11. Enriched (14)
J: Jye McNeil 57kg
T: Michael Freedman |
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|
14th
7. Bodyguard (2)
J: Hugh Bowman 57kg
T: Peter Snowden |
Data retrieved: 24/11/2024 10:08:23 AM (Australia/Brisbane)
Race comments
The G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes, a fantastic race as usual. Glad to see GROWING EMPIRE (1) accept after a busy Spring campaign. He's been favourite for this race for a while with two big wins to start the preparation before being nosed out in the G1 Manikato Stakes. He tackled the big guns in The Everest last start and tried awfully hard, only beaten narrowly by Bella Nipotina and Giga Kick. Like the wide draw and that he's had straight track experience. TRAFFIC WARDEN (3) was scratched at the barriers in The Everest when looking a huge chance. His Golden Rose run was excellent. Fresh, back to 1200m with a big turn of foot, he'll go close. LADY OF CAMELOT (13) outran her $41 price in The Everest when fourth and must be respected as a Golden Slipper winner. SWITZERLAND (5) hits this third-up off a big win at Rosehill and looks dangerous.