Coolmore Stud Stakes Review 2026: What The Jockeys Said

The Next Episode and Mark Zahra held off St Gotthard by a head to win the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington for Ciaron Maher, completing the Danehill Stakes and Coolmore double with Mbube a half neck away third. Here’s what the jockeys said.

It is always important to hear what the jockeys say after the race, as you can forgive a horse’s bad run or even find a winner next start, so head to the post-race comments below.

SATONO GLOW (Ben Melham) – 13th

The inside draw was no help to her at all. There was not a lot of speed about early and I struggled to get cover. Massive negative to draw low today in those races.

PARADOXIUM (Jason Collett) – 12th

Too keen. Just never in a rhythm.

STRETAN RULER (Jamie Mott) – 11th

He overraced quite badly and he was tight for room. Just didn’t appreciate it. Considering how he overraced, I thought he stuck on ok.

MARFFIANO (Luke Currie) – 10th

No comment available.

NATURAL FLING (Damian Lane) – 9th

Unfortunately didn’t work out for us and I was facing the breeze the whole way. That wind has picked up quite significantly. I think that told on her late.

STEEL WILL (Jye McNeil) – 8th

I’d say he’d be better suited back around a bend. In today’s race he was a bit keen and then flatfooted as they sprinted.

THE MACHINE GUN (William Pike) – 7th

It was actually a better effort than it looks. He actually jumped too fast and was exposed on the inside. Got lost in the middle of the race but he was actually holding his own late.

ALIBABA (Craig Newitt) – 6th

I thought he ran really good. He had a good run in the race, he came out at the 300 (metre mark). Loomed up like he was going to win and just found a couple better.

PEMBREY (Craig Williams) – 5th

She really acquitted herself well today. She got a sweet run in behind them. Nice run. Second horse came with us and was a bit sharper than we were at that stage but I wasn’t in a rush to get going then I thought she stayed on really well. First time down the straight, she’ll benefit from it against these top horses, but she is one of the top three fillies we’ll have next year.

UNDER FOCUS (Blake Shinn) – 4th

The horse went super. His form stood up from early in this campaign behind The Next Episode and St Gotthard. Had a run from a tricky draw and ran a great race. He’s a nice horse.

MBUBE (Billy Egan) – 3rd

He had a lovely run. He followed the winner. We were just chasing probably two of the best three-year-old colts.

ST GOTTHARD (James McDonald) – 2nd

He ran incredibly well. He laid it all out there but probably got a fraction lost when he made his run but he is such a talented horse.

THE NEXT EPISODE (Mark Zahra) – 1st

He actually travelled quite stronger than the other day. The other day he was a bit lackadaisical but today I travelled really strong and I could see J-Mac on the inside.

And actually when I went he dropped him really quick and the leaders stopped and he had a good look around but then when he felt the other horse on the inside I picked him up and he went away it was a great victory.

Geez they’re very similar horses, he’s a real dude now this horse he’s so relaxed, lobs along but when you want him he just goes bang, so it’s great to be on two magnificent colts within two years apart, what a day.

I was in a sweet spot, I travelled well – travelled too well. When I came out and he sprinted really quick and James sort of challenged him, he put him away late, what a win.

They took me nowhere, the ones in front, but I was in a spot where I had to go, he was just travelling so sweetly.

To win these races on these colts, it doesn’t come on often. It’s a stallion-making race. I’m sure the owners want to give me a lifetime nom(ination) for this bloke.

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