Miss Ole prevails at Flemington to stamp Coolmore Stud Stakes ambitions

Two fillies showcased their spring potential with Miss Ole surging late to deny Espana in a thrilling duel down the Flemington straight.

Miss Ole (blue) arrives in time to defeat Espana at Flemington on Saturday. Picture: Getty Images

Miss Ole and Espana stamped their credentials as fillies of the future at Flemington on Saturday.

The pair engaged in a stirring duel late in the Brendan Drechsler Handicap (1100m), with Miss Ole, trained by Clinton McDonald, shading Espana on the post.

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Espana, trained by Lloyd Kennewell and Lucy Yeomans, pinched a break inside the last 200m and held a margin until Miss Ole stretched out.

“She’s a winner,” McDonald said.

“She had to be tough there, she was just coming and coming.

“I was confident but it was coming very quickly the post.

“I know Lloyd Kennewell has a good opinion of his horse … it ran fantastic, I think it will be a good form race and she can go to the paddock … and we’ll look for something in the spring for her.”

Miss Ole too strong at Flemington giving her back-to-back metro wins, a filly on the rise! @cmcdonaldracing@[e-mail]/k68WBwvsN1

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) June 7, 2025

McDonald said the straight experience would benefit Miss Ole on a spring path towards the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Derby Day.

“She’s not a big filly but she’s tough and tenacious,” McDonald said.

“We don’t know where the ceiling is just yet.

“She’s been down the straight so we’ll look at the Flemington straight races for the three-year-olds, we’ll see where she ends up … obviously a race like the Coolmore could be on the cards.

“We’ll target something like that, I think she’s a very good filly and I think she’ll keep improving.”

Miss Ole stepped slowly on debut at Warrnambool and finished fifth.

She made amends with a strong come-from-behind at Sandown last start.

“It’s good to have another nice filly and she’ll be somewhere in the spring,” McDonald said.

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ETNA ERUPTS

Fire Of Etna scraped the rail under star apprentice Jaylah Kennedy to win the 1400m Benchmark 78 on Saturday at Flemington.

Fire Of Etna, one of three Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained mares in the field, drove through on the fence, inside the eventual third-placed stablemate Avebury, to get the result.

“She’s a really tough mare, been really honest throughout her whole career,” Sam Freedman said.

“Probably the last 10 days she’s really come to life, bouncing around the place ready to run a good race, she looks outstanding.

“Avebury was very tough, probably just did a bit of work early. To this mares credit, she bobs up sometimes when you least expect it.

“Great ride from Jaylah, she was patient, waited and there wasn’t much of a run there, great ride.”

Fire Of Etna returned $19 despite having won two of three starts first-up previously.

Fire Of Etna hugs the rail and puts her nose in front when it counted!@FreedmanRacing@[e-mail]/GUg2MQwi3V

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) June 7, 2025

MUKTAMIL PUTS MIND ON JOB

Muktamil made hard work of the 2520m Benchmark 84 at Flemington.

The consistent gelding, trained by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, trucked into the race ominously but waited for eventual placegetters Bold Soul and Goldenstatewarrior.

“He’s always consistent but he’s a thinker,” Busuttin said.

“He’s jogged into it and probably looked like he was going to put them away and did a hard job of it.

“He could’ve put them away easier I think, but a win’s a win and we’ll take it.”