Life Lessons delivers co-trainer Katherine Coleman her biggest win with Group 2 success in Rose Of Kingston Stakes

The Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes is now the aim for Life Lessons after her gutsy win in the Group 1 Rose Of Kingston Stakes at Flemington

Life Lessons scores a gutsy win in the Group 2 Rose of Kingston Stakes at Flemington. Picture: Getty Images

Life Lessons stared down Princess Grace to cause a minor upset in the Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes (1400m) at Flemington.

Princess Grace, the $1.60 favourite with TAB after third elect Skew Wiff was scratched at the barriers after playing up in the stalls, had every chance in the run but could not get past Life Lessons.

Life Lessons, one of three Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman starters in the Rose Of Kingston, finished second behind West Australian superstar Amelia’s Jewel last start.

The form held up with Life Lessons strong under pressure to worry out Princess Grace and Wrote To Arataki, a gallant third after being strung out three wide without cover the entire journey.

Life Lessons delivered co-trainer Coleman her biggest win to date since joining the Moody ticket.

"She's having a fantastic preparation." @kscoleman joins Katie and Hamish on set after the win of Life Lessons in the Rose of Kingston. pic.twitter.com/XdQPU4ex4Z

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 7, 2023

“We’re thrilled with her … she’s come up well after than run behind Amelia’s Jewel and she couldn’t have done much more that day,” Coleman said.

“She’s maintained her condition. We brought here thinking she’d run very well.

“She’s come back stronger and she’s a mare in form and if we can keep her happy we’ll be in for a very good prep.”

Life Lessons will be aimed at the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) on Derby Day at Flemington.

“The way she was finishing that race off there I wouldn’t be saying no,” Coleman said.

Moody-Coleman stablemates Waltz On By and Shuffle Dancer loomed down the middle of the track but peaked on their respective runs to finish fourth and fifth respectively.

Jockey Daniel Stackhouse executed the race plan to perfection to pilot Life Lessons to victory.

“My plan was to be in front of Princess Grace as I knew that turn-of-foot that I had, Princess Grace would fight hard if I had her in front of me,” Stackhouse said.

Godolphin filly announces herself as a real Oaks prospect

Zardozi emerged as a VRC Oaks candidate on Saturday with victory in the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m).

The Godolphin filly, expertly handled by Sydney-based jockey Chad Schofield, unleashed a strong turn of foot passing the 200m to put a margin on Aprilia and Amazonian Lass.

Schofield endorsed Zardozi’s Oaks potential.

“It is a different race altogether with the distance to relax and find a nice rhythm,” Schofield said.

“She’s going to give herself every opportunity to run the trip and she was incredibly strong through the line there so I can’t see why not.”

Zardozi is likely to be aimed at the Group 3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m) on October 21 at Caulfield.

Zardozi gets out and wins the Edward Manifold! 👏@[e-mail]/QliYZjAqM8

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 7, 2023

Patrol stars again down the straight

Another straight-track blitz from Star Patrol has provided trainer Clinton McDonald with the ammunition for a crack at next month’s Group 1 Champions Stakes.

Star Patrol won the Bobbie Lewis Quality at Group 2 level first-up before comfortably handling his opposition despite rising 4.5kg to stay unbeaten in the spring in the $300,000 Gilgai Stakes.

McDonald immediately put the Champions Sprint on Star Patrol’s agenda while he flagged a possible trip to Hong Kong in the lead-up to his latest win.

“He was so dominant down the straight but there’s probably better horses (in it) but his asset is that he loves the straight and he can run time down here,” McDonald said.

TAB pushed Star Patrol into $15 in Champions Sprint betting after his Gilgai Stakes win.

Kiwi star Imperatriz is the $2.50 favourite to win next month’s Flemington event.

"Star Patrol is burning rubber late!" 🔥

Another impressive win for Star Patrol. 💪@BMelhampic.twitter.com/JbEH0Qp6Xc

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 7, 2023

Rocket lifts off towards Derby

Riff Rocket shot to the top of Victoria Derby betting after demolishing his opposition in the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m).

TAB posted Riff Rocket as the $4 favourite to win next month’s $2m event after the Chris Waller-trained three-year-old strode to a soft five and a half-length win with James McDonald in the saddle.

Waller said the Victoria Derby was the aim for the son of American Pharoah but he was unsure of the lead-up route for the gelding.

“Naturally he’ll go through to the Derby. Whether he has another city run or goes to the Geelong Classic, I’m not too sure,” Waller said.

Riff Rocket would need to step up to 2500m in the Derby but McDonald was certain the promising galloper would be effective over the distance.

“He’s got the right attributes,” McDonald said.

"This horse has got the right profile to get to the Derby."

Chris Waller reflects on the dominant win of Riff Rocket in the Super [e-mail]/7gV91h2syl

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 7, 2023

- Additional reporting by Brad Waters

Originally published as Life Lessons delivers co-trainer Katherine Coleman her biggest win with Group 2 success in Rose Of Kingston Stakes