Heavens Above finishes fast to take out the Coolmore Classic
FIVE-YEAR-OLD superstar Heavens Above launched a last minute lunge at the line to cause an upset in Saturday’s Group 1 Coolmore Classic at Randwick on Saturday to salute at $23.60 at Sportsbet.com.au.
The gun mare launched a withering run down the outside after settling in the back of the field to edge out Silent Sedition ($4.30 at Crownbet.com.au) in a photo finish.
Danish Twist closed late to round out the placings and return $5.90 at WilliamHill.com.au.
Heavens Above’s trainer Tim Martin said he was not expecting to win heading into the group one feature.
“Full credit to the staff. She was behind the eight ball coming into the race.” Martin said.
“I thought she was a run behind.”
The trainer had a change of heart as the race went on however, believing that the ground suited his runner as the day wore on.
“The way the track was playing I knew would suit her, from the barrier draw,” Martin said.
Gun pair Omei Sword and First Seal failed to make an impression on the leaders and finished outside the first four.
Omei Sword’s jockey Brenton Avdulla said the gate did not give his horse enough of a chance to win.
The horse – which was bleeding from nostrils following the race – was “beaten by the barrier,” according to Avdulla.
First Seal settled at the back of the field and looked good coming into the straight but could not find the additional turn of foot to make ground on the leading brigade.
Jockey Blake Shinn was happy with the horse’s run first up.
“I thought she ran a good race,” Shinn said.
“I had to go back from the wide draw, they went quite slow up front. First-up at 1500m it was a bit of an ask for her, especially giving weight away. She made a bit of a run until about the 200m and just knocked up late, so expect her to improve.”
The win was all about Heavens Above however, who put in a barnstorming run to claim the win.
Jockey Tye Angland said the win displayed a fortitude in the horse that not many knew was there prior to the race.
“She’s a gutsy little filly. She’s given me one good ride over the past couple of seasons. She is little but she has got a big heart.” Angland said.
“That was a gutsy win. She had to make up a lot of ground. That was enjoyable.”
Angland said he did not get the ideal run to suit Heavens Above, but the horse was good enough to overcome the tough trip in transit.
“I was confident,” the talented hoop said.
“I did have to get her out of her comfort zone a little bit early which wasn’t ideal but that was my option to have a good crack at them late and she let down really strong.”