The Coolmore Stud Stakes has become one of the most important races on the resume of any potential stallion, with the race producing stallions like Northern Meteor, Star Witness, Sepoy, Zoustar, Brazen Beau, Flying Artie, Merchant Navy and Exceedance since it shifted to its current position on Penfolds Victoria Derby Day in 2006.
Home Affairs, though, looks as though he is more than capable of joining their ranks after he produced one of the most impressive wins in the race's history, striding clear for a three-length success over Bruckner with another half-length to Group 1 winner Artorius in third.
The son of I Am Invincible became a fifth winner in the race for trainer Chris Waller and a first for both jockey James McDonald and owners Coolmore Stud, who have sponsored the race since 2006.
“This is what we come for," McDonald said. "To ride such a special colt like this; he was electric today.
"I couldn’t believe at the furlong that I was so far in front. That is the acceleration of this horse, he just idled through his paces early. Nothing could keep up with him and he ran out the six furlongs so strong. He is a weapon this horse.
“Chris is such a good trainer. We say it over and over all the time. He just changed a bit of gear, got the horse to relax. I did a bit of work on him the other day and gee he felt good up that straight.
"He just pricked his ears from probably the 600 metres on and when I let him go he let rip. He’s a beautiful specimen.”
Home Affairs may be given his chance to target two of Australia's premier sprinting races, the Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) and the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m), down the Flemington straight in the autumn.
