The 2022 Charter Keck Cramer Moir Stakes was billed as a wide-open affair, with three horses starting under $7, and it had all the makings of a terrific edition of The Valley’s premier 1000-metre sprint.
The favourite was Queensland star Rothfire, who had won the main lead up at The Valley in the Group 2 Mittys McEwen Stakes. That victory was the first since his amazing comeback return to racing following a sesamoid injury in 2020, and the stage was set for a miracle sequence for trainer Robert Heathcote, who won this race three times between 2012-2015 with the mighty Buffering.
Godolphin colt Paulele was second elect, and if his third in the TJ Smith or seconds in both the Doomben 10,000 and the Kingsford Smith Cup weren't already enough to warrant him that position, then his dominant win in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield certainly was.
Add in the lone three-year-old in the race, a Magic Millions Classic winner who started favourite and ran third in a Golden Slipper, Coolangatta, and they were the three the market had homed in on as the leading chances.
Barriers are important in all races, but over 1000 metres at The Valley it becomes even more of an advantage to be drawn inside as the speedsters jostle for positions. Coolangatta drew barrier 1 and bounced out of the starting stalls like a panther to take up the leading role and hold the rail.
Zoustyle and Generation settled just in behind her, while Rothfire eased out of the speed battle and took a position one off the fence. Paulele settled well back in the field and was off the bit a long way out, while Bella Nipotina was wide without cover but idling as they approached home.
Coolangatta hugged the paint and still travelled kindly under Jamie Kah, and just as Damian Lane on the favourite Rothfire tried to ease out into the three-wide running line, Craig Williams on Bella Nipotina shut the door and began to circle them.
The field turned for home and Coolangatta booted two lengths clear from the a tiring Zoustyle and Generation who too was under the pump. The only dangers looked to be Bella Nipotina and Rothfire bursting down the middle of the track, but once again, Craig Williams held the favourite in – down to one danger.
The stablemates fought it out in the final 50 metres, but Coolangatta had established too much of a break and narrowly held on to defeat a brave Bella Nipotina.
The victory was a first Charter Keck Cramer Moir Stakes win for both trainer and jockey. Ciaron Maher & David Eustace completed The Valley Group 1 quadruple, successful in the Manikato and William Reid with Loving Gaby, and taking out the Centenary Ladbrokes Cox Plate with Sir Dragonet. And for Jamie Kah, it was her first Group 1 win here at The Valley, but we’re tipping it won’t be her last.