Racing: Excellent day for Coleman

Michael Coleman did not have any time to waste at Rotorua yesterday afternoon rushing off the racecourse immediately after the final event so he could watch the $2.5 million Caulfield Cup at a local bar.

The Matamata jockey was full of praise for the highly-regarded racemare Haylee Baylee after she showed plenty of stamina and fight when it mattered to win the $50,000 First Sovereign Trust Rotorua Challenge by three quarters of a length over Our Kitty.

A further 3 3/4 lengths away in third position was Star Of The Ball.

"Haylee Baylee is a very classy racemare and she's such a competitive and consistent performer as she found it hard going out there today on that heavy track, but really kicked back when it mattered most," said Coleman.

"Our Kitty dived through inside us in the home stretch, but my mare really knuckled down to her work and kept kicking and had the other horse well covered at the finish.

"She has finished out of the money in only four of her 19 starts and I've ridden her right through from the time she was a maiden horse back at the trials.

"The plan at this stage is to start her in the Counties Cup next month at Pukekohe. She's an ideal horse for a race like that, because the track conditions will not upset her."

The $100,000 (Group Two) Counties Cup will be held on November 19 and Coleman is adamant the 5-year-old is one runner worth following this season.

Coleman is preparing himself for a week-long "working holiday" in Melbourne, during which he will continue his association with champion New Zealand weight-for-age star Xcellent.

"I leave for Melbourne on Monday and I will ride Xcellent at the Breakfast With The Stars track training session on Tuesday morning," Coleman said yesterday.

"Greg Childs rode him in training this morning and he worked very well. The horse has settled in well at Mike Moroney's stable in Melbourne.

"I'm hoping some of the Greg Childs magic (Childs won the Caulfield Cup on Railings and an earlier event aboard Pendragon) has rubbed off on to Xcellent and I can repolish it in the Cox Plate."

Later, speedy filly Crep de Chine showed plenty of speed to post a long-neck victory over Baltaine and Run Like The Wind in the $50,000 (Group Three) Lion Red Plate.

The 3-year-old filly had the luxury weight of 48.5kg on her back and that proved to be the decisive factor as Baltaine was forced to lump a massive 58kg.

Cambridge mare La Sizeranne bounced back to form effortlessly at Hawera yesterday winning the $40,000 (Group Two) Hawkeye Stoney Bridge Stakes.

The 4-year-old Stravinsky-sired mare cleared out from the opposition in the home stretch.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY