Kiwi High Chaparral Mare Chasing Coolmore Classic

Media Release - Tuesday March 13

A drop in weight is a major plus for Francaletta when the quality Kiwi mare runs in Saturday's Group I Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill.

Francaletta - Race ImagesThe Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained daughter of High Chaparral will carry 52kg after finishing third in the Gr.2 Guy Walter Stakes (1400m) with three kilograms more in her Australian debut at Randwick earlier this month.

"It was a terrific run in very good company," Baker said. "The Coolmore is a handicap, which will suit her much better.

"She needs a good draw for a change though. She drew 11 the first time and with two scratchings came into nine and we've got Weather With You in at Warwick Farm on Wednesday and he's drawn the outside."

The winner of the Listed Geelong Classic (2200m) in the spring, he opened his current campaign last month when fifth at Ellerslie under 59kg against the older horses.

Weather With You will be ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, who also retains his association with Francaletta at the weekend.

"He's improved and we're getting him ready to go over ground, probably in the Rosehill Guineas," Baker said.

Weather With You is one of a quartet of three-year-olds the stable has in Sydney with Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) winner Vin De Dance, Mission Hill who was sixth in the classic and the dual lower grade winner Mongolian Marshal touching down this morning.

All hold nominations for the A$2 million Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m).

Meanwhile, Saturday's Gr.1 New Zealand Stakes (2000m) winner Saint Emilion will make his next appearance in the central districts, after which a decision will be made whether he heads to Sydney or is reserved for Brisbane.

"He's going to run in the Awapuni Gold Cup, unfortunately that's set weights and penalties so it doesn't suit him as well, but he's come through Ellerslie very well," Baker said. – NZ Racing Desk.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Wednesday November 20
Here is the full list of 39 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Magic Millions 2025 Magazine Online
The 2025 Magic Millions magazine is now online with a great mix of gallery images, editorial and vendor profilies.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
Cambridge Stud News
It’s been the spring that keeps giving for Cambridge Stud and it’s not over yet.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
$1.3million Snitzel Colt Ready to Fire on Debut for Te Akau
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.
Pinhook Winners 2024 NZB Ready to Run – Churchill Colt the Star
A record breaking NZB Ready to Run Sale this week at Karaka delivered plenty of pinhook success with 18 two year-olds selling for $300,000 or more above their yearling purchase price, so let’s take a look at some of the best of them.
$2,000 Gavelhouse Bargain Keeps on Winning!
The Grey Goose continued to belie her purchase price last start when recording her fifth win at Wingatui, bringing her career earnings to more than $225,000.
Halo Racing Reduction features in November (Late) catalogue
Shares in reigning G1 Caulfield Cup champion Duke de Sessa, G1 Toorak Hcp winner Attrition and tomorrow’s G1 Railway Stakes favourite Light Infantry Man headline an exciting Inglis Digital November (Late) Online Sale.
Castelvecchio Out for Remainder of Season
Aeliana’s late charge into second place in the $1.5million Group I MRC Thousand Guineas last Saturday stamped her as the filly to follow out of the race, but it wasn’t quite enough to put her sire Castelvecchio to the top of the second season sires list and he is now out of service at Arrowfield following surgery last week.