Time has served Coldplay well and she now looks
set to challenge for higher honours after maintaining her unbeaten record this
season.
The Savabeel mare successfully resumed in Rating 75 company last month and on
Saturday she added the Gr.3 Eagle Technology Stakes at Ellerslie to her record.
"She has matured and come into her own as a four-year-old," said Andrew
Forsman, who trains in partnership with Murray Baker.
"She was a touch weak as a three-year-old and wasn't really finishing her races
off, but she's the real deal now."
While the Waikato Stud-raced mare may have lacked strength last term, her
victory in the Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes was an indication of her natural talent.
"She's probably best at a mile and ridden off the speed," Forsman said. "We
were thinking of the Cal Isuzu Stakes for her at Te Rapa in a couple of weeks,
but we'll wait and see how she comes through this first."
Coldplay enjoyed a good run three back and one off the fence and she finished
resolutely to get the better of Ronchi, who took control 250 metres from home.
"He's a hard horse to catch once he gets in front and she really knuckled
down," Forsman said. "I thought she may have too much to do so it was a really
good effort."
The stable were also represented in the race by Saint Emilion, who led and
finished fourth while Mime petered out to run sixth.
"Saint Emilion ran to keep him ticking over for the Zabeel Classic and Mime was
a touch disappointing, she didn't let down like she can," Forsman said.
The last-start rating 75 winner Stylish Attack gave a bold account of herself
to come from the back for third.
"I've been patient with her coming through the grades," owner-trainer Graeme
Hughes said. "She's ticking all the boxes and she's a lot stronger now than she
was last season." – NZ Racing Desk.