Karaka Graduate Kolding Thriving Ahead of Golden Eagle

Media Release - Wednesday October 30

New Zealand-bred galloper Kolding is on song for the A$7.5 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday, according to jockey Glenn Boss.

Kolding - image Steve HartThe Chris Waller-trained gelding has won two of his three starts this campaign, including his last start heroics in the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m), but it was his 1030m trial at Rosehill last week that really has Boss fizzing.

“I had the opportunity to trial him last week and I felt that he has come on since the Epsom,” he said.

“Physically he looked amazing, but mentally he just felt really on the job. He gave me all the right signs as a jockey, going towards a major race, that you want to see and feel.”

Boss is unbeaten on the son of Ocean Park after piloting him to victories in the Gr.3 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) and Epsom, and he has taken a lot of confidence from the form that has come out of the latter race.

Runner-up Te Akau Shark was impressive when running third in the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) on Saturday, while Nettoyer has subsequently won the Gr.3 Angst Stakes (1600m).

“This will be his fourth run in this prep, so he should do nothing but improve. He’s just a good, genuine racehorse,” Boss said.

“He’s been a revelation since he has been gelded. He is one of our better four-year-olds now and that form (in The Epsom) has been franked. There has been a lot of good form to come out of the Epsom this year.

“He is going to be pretty popular on the weekend, but he’s going to have to go up a notch because this is a really serious race.”

While Boss is confident in his charge, he is wary of a 7kg rise in weight from Kolding’s Epsom run.

“This is probably going to be a stronger race than the Epsom and the weight difference is a big thing,” Boss said.

“Brutal is getting closer to his better distance now and Arcadia Queen is definitely getting towards her distance. It is going to be a really intriguing race and I am really looking forward to it.”

Kolding will jump from barrier four and has been installed as a $5-equal second favourite with fellow Kiwi-bred galloper Brutal (barrier 17) by bookmakers, while Arcadia Queen (barrier five), to be ridden by James McDonald, has been marked as a $2.80 favourite for the inaugural running of the Golden Eagle.

Kolding was purchased out of Wentwood Grange’s 2017 Premier Yearling Sale draft for $170,000 by bloodstock agent Guy Mulcaster. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Tycoon Star Makes Winning Debut in G3 Maribyrnong Plate
Tycoon Star looked like the consummate professional when making a winning career debut in the Group III Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) to kickstart Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
New Ocean Park SW Brings Needed Joy for Cambridge Stud
In what has proved to be a tumultuous and tragic week for Cambridge Stud owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay, the victory of two-year-old filly Taroni and then underrated mare Pretty To Sea in the Listed Hallmark Stud Handicap (1200m) at Ellerslie has brought a small measure of joy to the couple.
Antrim Coast to Fly Flag for The Oaks Stud
The well-renowned colours of The Oaks Stud will feature across two feature Trans-Tasman meetings this week, kicking off with Antrim Coast lining up in the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
Storm Boy Headed to Ireland
Coolmore have today announced via Twitter that top class Justify (USA) colt Storm Boy will be continuing his racing career in Ireland in 2025 under the care of Aidan O’Brien.
Melbourne Cup Pedigree Analysis - Do It Yourself
Breednet has produced a great page with click through to five generation pedigrees for all the Melbourne Cup runners, so for amateur pedigree buffs looking to have a Cup flutter based pedigree here’s your chance  to DIY it!
Out of the Park strikes again
Just two months since her purchase off gavelhouse,com, Out of the Park has repaid her $14,000 purchase price and more after striking up two wins and a placing in just four starts.
Coolmore Set Justify Fee for 2025
Coolmore have announced the US fee for Justify in 2025 with the undefeated Triple Crown winner priced at $US250,000 to head  their roster of 16 stallions at Ashford Stud in Kentucky.
Oceanex Keeps the Ball Rolling for Ocean Park
Karaka 2017 graduate Oceanex (NZ) (Ocean Park) sent her value skyrocketing with a determined victory in Saturday’s $300,000 Group 2 TAB Matriarch Stakes (2000m) at Flemington.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
Two heats at the Rosehill trials on Monday morning over 900m and the quickest of those was won by an expensive son of Golden Slipper winning first season sire Farnan.
Kiwi Bred Looking to Give Waller The Gong
The lure of a one million purse has been too attractive for leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller.