Sleepless nights for Coelli

12 March 2026 | Michael Dumesny
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Im On No Sleep - Photo courtesy of Grant Coelli

Im On No Sleep - Photo courtesy of Grant Coelli

There is no bigger thrill for a country trainer than having on horse engaged on a feature race night.

For Leeton trainer Grant Coelli that experience is set to unfold on Saturday at Tabcorp Park Menangle when his filly Im On No Sleep takes her place in the Group 3 Ultra Air JL Raith Memorial.

Bred by the Coelli family in partnership with their good friend Mick Ross, the filly was sired by former champion pacer Ride High and is out of Realnspectacular, a mare that gave Grant considerable success on the racetrack.

She raced on just sixteen occasions, tasting success in five of those outings and placing on eight others before succumbing to injury which forced her to be retired.

Saturday night’s assignment is not going to be any easy one for the filly as lines up against a quality field.

But after drawing ideally in gate one, Im On No Sleep get her chance to be in the mix from the outset, her natural gate speed should enable the youngster to find a forward position in the top half of the field.

“She is a developing filly that has just kept on improving this preparation, so we thought we may as well have a throw at the stumps in a race like this,” said Grant.

“We are well-aware that we are coming up against a strong field, but our girl has thrived with racing, and I believe that the experience will do her the world of good.”

“She just lacks a little bit of high speed which has proven to be to her detriment in some of her runs.”

“She is yet to work out what this racing caper is all about, but I feel that the penny is not far away from dropping and when that does happen, I think she will furnish into a nice racehorse.”

“We have been lucky enough to secure Will Rixon to drive her, and the barrier draw has been kind to us.”

“If the tempo is strong and we can roll along on the back of the speed I do not feel that she will disgrace herself.”

Saturday night is going to be one to remember and apart from the great pacing on the track, iconic band The Angels will be performing.

It is free entry but those wanting to attend must go onto the Club Menangle website to register.

 

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