This time last year, Coeur Volante was nearing a start in the Tattersalls Tiara. Although her days as a Group 1 contender may be behind her, there’s still considerable prize money to be pursued.
The Proisir mare, who was a recent winner at Sandown, will now aim for further success in the $150,000 open handicap over 1400 metres at Caulfield next Saturday.
The five-year-old is very likely headed for Widden’s breeding barn later this year, where she will be mated with Zoustar. However, co-trainer Ben Hayes indicated there’s no reason she shouldn’t continue racing in the interim.
“It’s a chance for her to make some more money before the new breeding season,” he said.
“She’s already a Group 2 winner and the only way you can improve the pedigree is winning a Group 1 and the only Group 1 left is the Tatts Tiara, which is next week and she’s not running there.
“She’ll probably race into spring.”
Coeur Volante secured the Group 3 Mannerism Stakes (1400m) under the training of Mike Moroney and Glen Thompson, less than a week before Moroney’s passing in February of the previous year. Thompson subsequently took the reins with the $90,000 Karaka yearling. Earlier in her career, she had claimed the Group 3 Champagne Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley and the Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Caulfield.
She experienced a frustrating fourth-place finish in the 2023 Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m), a race ultimately won by Joliestar.
Last year’s Tattersalls Tiara represented her most recent Group 1 appearance, where she finished second-last among the 18 starters.
Her former owners offered Coeur Volante through Inglis Digital last November. She was acquired by Widden and Bangaloe Stud for $500,000. In her two starts under new ownership, she placed third in the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes before her victorious 1400m run at Sandown on June 13.
“It’s all worked out well with her and she was a nice, impressive win,” Hayes stated.
“It was really good to get her back in the winner’s stall.”
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