Group 1 racing continues this Saturday at Rosehill with the running of the Coolmore Classic between the fillies and mares.
Champion trainer Chris Waller is hoping to win the race for the first time, and appears to have a strong chance with last-start Surround Stakes winner Hinged stepping out for another duel with current favourite Espiona.
Defending Coolmore champion Krone has also accepted to run, while American import Lighthouse is hoping to finally break through and win a Group 1 following two brave performances in both the C.F. Orr Stakes, and the Canterbury Stakes last week.
The Coolmore is always one of the highlights of the Autumn Carnival, and our thoughts on each runner can be found in our preview below.
1. Krone (3)
- Group 1’s: 1 (2021 Coolmore Classic)
- Track: 4:2-0-0
- Distance: 2:1-0-0
- Trainer: Tony Gollan
- Jockey: Chad Schofield
- Odds: $16.0
Returns to defend her crown. Runs have been spaced this time in work and has been thereabouts in all three. Finished fifth to Snapdancer in the Magic Millions Fillies & Mares race on the Gold Coast and battled late for fourth behind Expat in the Millie Fox Stakes at Rosehill a few weeks ago. Absolutely loves heavy tracks and should be storming home late from the inside draw. Solid each-way hope.
2. Polly Grey (1)
- Group 1’s: 0
- Track: 5:3-0-1
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Chris Waller
- Jockey: Brenton Avdulla
- Odds: $31.00
On a quick backup. Sprinted well from midfield last week in the Aspiration Quality but was no match for the lightly-weighted Le Lude. Absolutely loves getting her toe in the ground and is an impressive four-time winner on heavy going. Facing Group 1 company for the first time but tends to run an honest race most often. Should land off the speed again and is worth consideration for a place.
3. Vangelic (17)
- Group 1’s: 0
- Track: 3:1-0-1
- Distance: 2:0-0-1
- Trainer: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
- Jockey: Tim Clark
- Odds: $20.00
Smart mare that has just drawn a horror gate. Fourth in last year’s edition of The Coolmore and was equally as impressive running third to I’m Thunderstruck in the Golden Eagle. Resumed to run a place in the Guy Walter Stakes two weeks ago in similar conditions and should be going close if Tim Clark can offset barrier 17.
4. Lighthouse (6)
- Group 1’s: 0
- Track: 0:0-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
- Jockey: Jason Collett
- Odds: $6.00
Has been up for a while but continues to hold her form. Was next best behind Tofane in the C.F. Orr Stakes last month and was equally impressive last week when a clear second to Forbidden Love in the Canterbury Stakes. On the quick backup for the first time and is returning to face her own sex. Untried over 1500m, but should appreciate getting back on top of the ground. Big chance.
5. Shout The Bar
- Group 1’s: 2 (2020 Vinery Stud Stakes, Empire Rose Stakes)
- Track: 3:1-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
- Jockey: Regan Bayliss
- Odds: $61.00
Hasn’t won a race since her triumph in the Empire Rose Stakes a couple of years ago and has only found the money on one occasion since. First-up run in the Guy Walter left a lot to be desired and would need to improve considerably to be a factor here.
6. Expat (10)
- Group 1’s: 0
- Track: 6:4-0-1
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Mark Newnham
- Jockey: Tom Sherry
- Odds: $6.50
Stepping out in search of her hat-trick following narrow wins in the Belle Of The Turf and the Millie Fox Stakes. The two place getters from her last start have since gone on to win again and she should take some catching on-speed. Absolutely loves racing at Rosehill and is an elite wet tracker with four wins to her name on heavy going. One of the main players.
7. Wandabaa (7)
- Group 1’s: 0
- Track: 8:1-1-2
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Kris Lees
- Jockey: Tommy Berry
- Odds: $13.00
On a quick turnaround after winning the Newcastle Newmarket last week. Bolted in strongly from midfield and appeared to have plenty left in hand to suggest she’ll appreciate racing over further. Another one that loves wet tracks and she could prove a real threat in the finish if Tommy Berry finds cover early.
8. Hinged (12)
- Group 1’s: 1 (2022 Surround Stakes)
- Track: 0:0-0-0
- Distance: 1:0-0-0
- Trainer: Chris Waller
- Jockey: William Pike
- Odds: $7.50
Brave Surround Stakes winner that dug deep to fend off a late challenge from Startantes a fortnight ago at Randwick. On debut at Rosehill but should appreciate another rain-affected track. Loses James McDonald but gained William Pike, who has so far been riding winners right throughout the Carnival. Should be plenty fit now for two runs back and the rise to 1500m suits.
9. Atishu (9)
- Group 1’s: 0
- Track: 1:0-0-0
- Distance: 2:0-0-0
- Trainer: Chris Waller
- Jockey: Ms Kathy O’Hara
- Odds: $31.00
Has been kept fresh after missing the start in the Liverpool Cup last month at Randwick. Looked only plain in a soft trial in between starts and is tough to recommend.
10. Mirra Vision (16)
- Group 1’s: 0
- Track: 6:2-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Peter & Paul Snowden
- Jockey: Sam Clipperton
- Odds: $21.00
Fitter for two runs back and gave a good sight behind Colette for sixth in last year’s Empire Rose Stakes. Has good third-up form but would probably appreciate a track upgrade to the soft range.
11. Promise Of Success (13)
- Group 1’s: 0
- Track: 0:0-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: John O’Shea
- Jockey: Ms Rachel King
- Odds: $7.00
Genuine type that always gives an honest effort. Hasn’t missed the money in her last eight starts and is coming off back-to-back placings at Randwick in the Triscay and Guy Walter Stakes. Form behind last week’s Canterbury Stakes winner Forbidden Love reads well and she is another one that handles some sting out of the ground. Likes to get back and run on, so the wide gate isn’t an issue.
12. Yes Baby Yes (2)
- Group 1’s: 0
- Track: 0:0-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Leon & Troy Corstens
- Jockey: Tyler Schiller
- Odds: $91.00
Dual acceptor. Battled home for third in a Group 3 at Launceston last month and is facing a much tougher challenge here.
13. Espiona (4)
- Group 1’s: 0
- Track: 0:0-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Chris Waller
- Jockey: Jay Ford
- Odds: $3.70
Promising filly in the making that has just found one or two better recently. Beaten odds-on favourite first-up in the Light Fingers Stakes and was also beaten as the short-priced favourite in the Surround. Looks set to peak now third-up but is a slight query on another heavy track after laying in late at Randwick two weeks ago. Weight relief and a much kinder barrier should help her improve though.
14. Cap Estel (8)
- Group 1’s: 0
- Track: 0:0-0-0
- Distance:
- Trainer: 2:0-0-1
- Jockey: Quayde Krogh
- Odds: $126
Facing a big step up in grade and is likely to struggle.
