‘A bit stressful’: Trainer Matt Laurie opens up about Coleman’s $15m Blue Diamond mission
The honour of saddling a favourite in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes makes up for any stress trainer Matt Laurie is under. Laurie opens up on family, racing and the colt chasing a $15m windfall.
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Trainer Matt Laurie has embraced the stress of saddling favourite Coleman in the $2m Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes on Saturday.
Laurie, a dual Group 1 winner, including the 2021 Oakleigh Plate, would rather be under the radar but unbeaten Coleman has commanded top billing.
The stakes are high for the unbeaten colt on Saturday at Caulfield – with victory to secure a $10m-$15m stallion deal windfall for connections.
“It’s a bit stressful but if you’re stressed because you have the honour of a really talented horse in the stable well then I’m happy to have it all the time,” Laurie said.
“I feel very privileged to have a horse with his talent, he’s got a bit motor and although this race is the target in the short term I think he’s got a good career ahead of him post.
“This is a big prizemoney race ($1.2m to the winner) but for a colt going for three for three it’s effectively a $10-$15m race for Coleman going forward.
Coleman makes it two from two ✅
— 7HorseRacing 🎠(@7horseracing) February 3, 2024
He is the new favourite for the Blue Diamond Stakes 👀 @BMelham and @mattlaurierace pick up doubles at Caulfield 👠pic.twitter.com/4kwbiv63vx
“We’re very hopeful he can cement his (stud) career after this weekend but should it not happen, the (ability) is there and I’m sure … he’ll be a Group 1 horse.”
Coleman is a $3.70 favourite with TAB for the Blue Diamond ahead of Lady Of Camelot ($4.60), High Octane ($6.50).
He stamped Blue Diamond authority with Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes victory last start and thrust Laurie, a father of three boys under eight, into the spotlight.
“It’s not really me, I’ve got enough going on at home, a lot of other horses and we got a very young family, three boys and a property to run,” Laurie said.
“I’m probably not one to flag down reporters, but it goes with the territory when you’ve got a nice horse like this and just very excited.”
Family has forged Laurie success at Carringbush Park — a beautiful 35-acre farm in Moorooduc.
Parents, Michael and late mother Leonie, helped Laurie buy the farm, formerly known as Coleman Park, and turn it into a training property.
“It’s been a tough couple of years, my parents really helped me, I had a vision and they enabled it early, put a lot of time and effort and money into our property,” Laurie said.
“My mother passed away coming on three years, just my dad Michael now, it is a big thing, I’m sure my mum Leonie would be very proud to see what’s taken place the last few years.”
Fiancee Kate Brideoake, daughter of Mornington trainer David, has been a rock of support along with sons Lachlan, 8, Harry, 8, and Archie, 5.
“She’s well versed in what’s required as far as training horses go, and we have three boys between us, she’s a lawyer as well, so she’s got plenty on her plate,” Laurie said.
Coleman Park was once owned by the late Essendon champion John Coleman.
Collingwood fan Laurie, hence the Carringbush rebrand, father Michael’s idea, would have kept Coleman Park but it was registered as a business by the previous owners.
Coleman has taken it easy this week, since a slick gallop at Caulfield last Tuesday, including a couple of days at Balnarring Beach.
The same cannot be said for Laurie, with a young family and about 50 other horses to train.
“You’re always thinking about racing, it’s probably the worst thing about it,” Laurie said.
“Three boys, they’ll keep us very busy, Lachlan, our oldest, all he does is talk about racing so it is hard to switch off a bit with him around.
“It’s a very exciting period for us, as a family, and also the staff, past and present, pretty hard to come by good horses.”
Originally published as ‘A bit stressful’: Trainer Matt Laurie opens up about Coleman’s $15m Blue Diamond mission
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