PLAYING IT COOL
Bannockburn’s Ash Vincent and Geelong’s Peter Mullen will battle it out for local bragging rights in the $1 million Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington today. Vincent part-owns speedy colt Jukebox, while Mullen has a share in fast filly Houtzen.
PETER Mullen says with a chuckle that he’d love to see Houtzen and Jukebox run the quinella in today’s $1 million Coolmore Stud Stakes.
Just as long as Houtzen, the horse he part-owns, is the winner.
Geelong’s Mullen will be up against Bannockburn’s Ash Vincent and Brendan Shaw, who part-own Jukebox, in what will be a battle for local bragging rights within one of Australia’s richest sprint races.
The trio will head to the races at Flemington today and while both are double-figure chances — Houtzen ($12) and Jukebox ($13) — they both should run well in the 20horse field.
“I said to Ash it would be nice to dead heat it so we could celebrate together. It would also be nice to get the quinella, but preferably Houtzen’s way,” Mullen said.
“I don’t think I’ve seen a more even Group 1 in my life.
“These are the days you never take for granted. We are very blessed to be in a Group 1. Hopefully we can pull it off.”
For Shaw and Vincent, it’s a chance to finally see the Aaron Purcell-trained star run in a Group 1 race after Jukebox was sensationally scratched by vets before the Blue Diamond in February.
“We haven’t been sleeping that well,” Vincent said of his nerves.
“This is a big event for a couple of blokes who have been kicking around the bush with country winners. For one day in our lives we are in the big time, the big leagues, the premier racing day in the country. “It’s incredible.” Houtzen has drawn barrier five while Jukebox is in barrier three.
Mullen said he was hopeful Houtzen, who contested The Ever- est in Sydney last start, would have options in the run.
“She can take the lead, she can sit behind the leaders. She is not forced to do anything,” he said.
“We will look at all options once the barrier opens and we will see how it all unfolds.
“We are extremely happy with her. She is jumping out of her skin.”
The Coolmore is regarded as a stallion-making race and Vincent said a Jukebox victory would be like “winning Tattslotto”.
“It’s worth a lot of money (in prizemoney and stud value),” he said.