Coolangatta has become the third three-year-old filly in the 25 past years to take out the pure speed test of the autumn, the Black Caviar Lightning at Flemington.
Just like Isca (1999) and Regimental Gal (2004), Coolangatta was first-up from a successful spring campaign that saw her collect the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley.
With Jamie Kah aboard, Coolangatta ($9 betr) scored by a long head from I Wish I Win ($8.50) with Bella Nipotina ($14) a short-half-head away third.
Jamie Kah doubted after the spring whether Coolangatta could make further improvement into the autumn, but the filly has gone to another level.
“I thought she’d reached her peak last prep, and I thought it was still a very good peak,” Kah said.
“I didn’t see her improving that much more, but she’s just come back better and bigger and stronger.
“I thought she would run second today honestly.
“I didn’t think she would be able to beat Nature Strip, but the race did shape out for her, there was pressure early, but she is half the size of him (Nature Strip) and she just does things she shouldn’t do, she is just an amazing horse.”
Kah said the biggest thing in Coolangatta’s favour this campaign was she was able to conserve her energy for a late surge.
She said Coolangatta had previous gone fast before just holding on.
“Today, she waited off of them and had a turn of foot,” Kah said.
“There were some very good horses in that race and I’m just proud of her, she is just a ripper.”
Coolangatta was one of three sprinters Ciaron Maher and David Eustace saddled up in Saturday’s race and Eustace said the stable had seen a bigger and stronger filly this time around.
He said ultimately the stable would like to travel with Coolangatta to Royal Ascot later in the year,” Eustace said.
“She’s heavier and we thought she’d improved from the spring to now, and from two to three.
“From here the dream would be Royal Ascot for everyone involved. She’s shown she likes the straight and I think everyone in the group would be keen to go there.
“Where she goes next, I’m not sure but ultimately we’d love to give that a crack.”