Accession will try to add to trainer Chris Waller‘s impressive list of Coolmore Stud Stakes winners when the colt bids to emulate his sire in the Group One sprint.
Waller won the Coolmore (1200m) for three-year-olds at Flemington in three consecutive years from 2013 to 2015, with 2014 winner Brazen Beau the sire of Accession.
The Coolmore has developed into an important stallion-making race with the Waller-trained Zoustar (2013) also going on to a successful stud career.
Zoustar sired the trifecta in last year’s Coolmore, with star filly Sunlight beating the Waller-trained colts Zousain and Lean Mean Machine.
Accession takes on a star-studded field in Saturday’s $1.5 million 1200m straight track sprint, chasing his own valuable Group One win to enhance his stallion prospects.
He heads into the race having finished fifth in both the Heritage Stakes and Roman Consul Stakes in Sydney and was given a relatively easy time in a jump-out at Flemington last Friday in a heat featuring a number of Coolmore contenders.
“His preparation has been good,” Waller said.
“I was happy with the jump-out. We’ve done similar things in previous years and it’s been successful for us – not to fully test them on the Friday.”
While Accession does not take the record of some of his higher profile rivals into the race, Waller is hopeful the $34 chance can figure in the finish.
“Accession I think is capable of winning the race,” Waller said.
“I think a tough 1200 metres will suit. His Dad won up the straight. He’s a very similar type to Brazen Beau who is doing a great job.
“I’ve just found it’s not always the favourite that wins the race. It’s a very open day of racing, Derby Day.
“I think he’s got the right profile to be in the finish.”
Brazen Beau is also the sire of the John Sadler-trained Coolmore runner Sartorial Splendor.
The Coolmore is one of four Group One races on the program and threatens to overshadow the Victoria Derby.
“It’ll just about be the race of the day,” Godolphin trainer James Cummings said.
“An absolutely mouth-watering contest.”
Cummings has Group One Golden Rose winner Bivouac and fellow Group One-winning colt Microphine in the race, with Bivouac the $3.30 favourite while Microphone was $10 on Thursday.