"They are both obviously high class and I am looking forward to getting on two as good as them," says Coleman. It has been a bit stop-start my return, with the suspension, but I rode on Thursday and at the trials today [Friday] so I will be ready for the big day."
Coleman was on both Supera and Media Sensation when they flashed home at their last starts and says the former might face the easier task today.
"She is in a good field, they both are, but there might be less winning chances in Supera's race."
She was a booming late second to Nicoletta over 1600m in the Breeders Stakes at Te Aroha last start, suggesting the step up to 2000m today should suit her perfectly and Coleman is hoping for a solid tempo, which looks likely.
"If we get a good, even tempo that will suit her and I can see her being midfield or just behind that and that might not be a bad place to be.
"She actually went better than it even looked at Te Aroha because she was back in the inside and wasn't getting much room and I don't think she enjoyed it. Because of that it took her longer than I expected to wind up in the straight.
"But I think from this draw she really gets her chance."
Nicoletta is unlikely to get an easy lead today but she is a tough mare whose best form has seen her finish third in a group one Herbie Dyke at the highest weight-for-age level here last year and she could win again without surprising.
Add in last year's winner Our Abbadean, the improving Fiscal Fantasy, Easter Handicap placegetter Yearn and Jessiegee, who was a huge fourth at Awapuni last start, and the Travis will be won by a good mare.
But for all its depth, the Breeders Stakes for 3-year-olds is the race of the day, bringing together Guineas and Derby horses against the emerging 3-year-olds like Vigor Winner and the unbeaten Sheezallmine. With no easy beats in the race and the 1200m leaving little time to get back and run on, Coleman thinks he needs to be positive with Media Sensation even from a tricky draw.
"She was a bit slow out last start at Ellerslie and we couldn't win after that but she hit the line really well," says Coleman.
"Peter [Williams, co-trainer] was actually considering trialling her rather than racing her that start so she will improve a lot with that run and she has to be a huge chance.
"But it is a very strong field and she has that tricky draw so of the two Supera might be the better chance of me getting a big one.
"If Media Sensation jumps well though I'll be positive on her and she can go very close. Still, it is a race that not much would need to go wrong to get beaten."
With so much form depth, particularly from the likes of brilliant last-start winner Santa Catarina, and a host of stakes-placed rivals, the race looks a late-season gem before the winter tracks settle in.
Richards less than bullish on Abbadean
Defending champion Our Abbadean will need to produce something like last year's Travis Stakes form today to seal a Queensland campaign.
But trainer Jamie Richards is hopeful more than confident.
Our Abbadean won the Travis last year after five strong lead-up runs, mostly over comparable distances, but goes into today's feature with just one 1600m run this campaign. And that was a poor second last in the Breeders Stakes at Te Aroha.
She will need to improve enormously on that today to defend her title and if she does she could head to Brisbane for the winter.
But while Richards is willing to forgive the last-start failure he isn't getting carried away today.
"She was chasing all the way last start because they went a solid 1600m and she wasn't ready for that," he admits.
"But she has worked well since and it will bring her on.
"I think the race suits her but I also think Supera will be very, very hard to beat and looks the better bet, if I was thinking more like a punter than a trainer.
"So our mare is good enough to win but it is hard to be as confident with her as we were this time last year."
Your Te Rapa money makers
Best bet: Rip Em Up (R5, No 14): Stormed home in strong 3-y-o last start and back to maidens from handy draw today.
Each way: Media Sensation (R8, No 8): 1000 Guineas winner who flew late last start and will be improved. Tricky draw but bookies offering a very fair $7.50.
Trial spy: Prince Hareem (R9, No 5): Two smart trials since returning from Hong Kong and there has been early support for him on fixed odds.
