The fillies continued to upstage the boys at Flemington on Saturday as Craig Williams and September Run won the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) with absolute authority.

Williams rode the daughter of Exceed and Excel to perfection down the famous Flemington straight, conserving energy towards the back of the field early on before shifting to the outside fence with 300m to go.

Williams gave up plenty of ground in transition, but was then left to simply push the button on the three-year-old as she raced past the likes of Swats That and Wild Ruler to win by a comfortable two lengths.

September Run’s explosive turn of foot has been on full display in her last two starts where she’s won both the Listed D’Antibes and the Listed Poseidon Stakes over a little shorter at Flemington.

Craig Williams crosses the line to win his second Coolmore Stud Stakes aboard September Run. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

Williams saddled her on both occasions and, as always, put his knowledge to good use on his way to his 62nd Group 1.

“It’s easy riding a really good filly that you trust and believe in, I spoke to Chris (Waller) this morning and he gave me the confidence and said you know her better than anybody down the straight just do what it takes to win the race, so it was great” Williams told racing.com.
“I was happy where I was and once I gave her a squeeze she came underneath me, but this is the best race for three-year-old’s sprinting in the Spring and she had to be good, and she was awesome.”

Saturday marked Williams’ second victory in the Coolmore after winning way back in 1997 aboard Show No Emotion.

It was also a special one for trainer Chris Waller, who claimed his fourth Coolmore after a three-peat between 2013-15 with Zoustar, Brazen Beau and Japonisme.

“She’s just gone to the next level with every start, every task we’ve put in front of her she’s stepped up to the plate, and she certainly showed that today” Waller’s staple representative Jo Taylor said after the race.

“I thought Craig did a phenomenal job with her just keeping her tucked away and the vital part was getting the first half of this race right, which we did, and we knew she’d be lightning quick over the concluding stages.”

September Run’s sustained speed through the line is a sight to behold as the Waller team now set their sights on bigger and better things in the future.

“She’s almost gotten stronger as she’s raced, she’s still a young filly and I think there’s more furnishing with her. There’s no reason she can’t go to bigger heights after this preparation” Taylor added.

Swats That was well supported before the jump and did enormously well to run second in her Group 1 debut.

Wild Ruler was next best in third, a strong result after racing four-wide the trip.