The Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) is the intended highlight of racing at Rosehill today.
Sadly, this year, it looks to be overshadowed by a great edition of the Ranvet Stakes as well as two strong Golden Slipper trials and a very good running of the Canterbury Stakes.
Also, with Group 1s restricted to fillies and mares now also found in Queensland, Victoria and South Australia, it is no longer the novelty it once was.
Nevertheless, it is important for a mare’s future career at stud to win a race like this, and so while it may not be as good a race as in previous years it is still incredibly competitive.
Just Horse Racing’s Andrew Hawkins has been through the field for the 2012 Coolmore Classic and has compiled this runner-by-runner preview:
1. SECRET ADMIRER (6)
Classy dual Group 1 winner but she was very disappointing last start when she finished six lengths from Steps In Time. Admittedly she didn’t have things to suit but you would still expect to see much better than that. She’s a mare that needs pace on, and she should get more pace here although I don’t know it will be enough. Steps In Time actually meets her 1.5kg better here, so she will need to have improved. 58kg is a big ask and she’s being primed for the Doncaster. Still, class will take her a long way. If the real Secret Admirer turns up she’s in with a chance.
2. KING’S ROSE (5)
Kiwi import for Peter Moody who has been very good since she came over here. Won the NZ 1000 Guineas as a three year old and was the best filly of her generation. Although she only finished eighth first up, she was outstanding and she’ll be better suited here. Remember, too, that second up last preparation she won what was considered to be one of the best form races of the spring, the Stocks Stakes. That day, she beat Cox Plate winner Pinker Pinker. First across the line in the Sunline Stakes, Lady Lynette, was third, while Caulfield Cup winner Southern Speed was fourth. She’s right on track to record her first Australian Group 1, and it’s a good chance of happening here. Big chance.
3. RED TRACER (8)
The Millie Fox Stakes should have been renamed the Red Tracer Benefit. It was as easy as you like. There is a bit of a query over the form, though – the two horses with form over the trip ran well below their best (Jersey Lily was so poor that she has been retired). And so she effectively beat three staying mares, although second (Crafty Irna) and third (Older Than Time) ran fourth and third respectively in the Aspiration Quality last week. I rate her and Steps In Time around the same level, but I do think Steps In Time has stronger form this preparation. She’s in with a chance though, she’ll be somewhere around the mark.
4. YOSEI (10)
You want enigmatic? Here’s one of the most enigmatic horses of them all. Since her maiden, she has only won Group 1 races – the AJC Sires Produce Stakes in 2010, the 2010 Thousand Guineas and the 2011 Tatt’s Tiara. Outside of that, her form actually hasn’t been that good. She was fair in a bunched finish in the Oakleigh Plate while I thought she was good second up. Still, she has to carry her share of weight here and I’m not sure she’s racing good enough to beat these at this weight. But the one lesson I’ve learned is you cannot say no to Yosei in a Group 1.
5. STREAMA (9)
Dominant Flight Stakes winner who won last start but wasn’t overly impressive in doing so. As a three year old she’s yet to finish worse than second, but she is also yet to race outside her age group as well. I’m quite concerned about her proximity in the weights to the older horses – as a three year old filly, she should be getting more weight off the older horses to make her attractive here in my opinion. She could still blow them away, but I don’t want to be on her with the weight. Place chances best for mine.
6. STEPS IN TIME (12)
This mare is flying. She beat a good field two starts back in the Breeders Classic, including the consistent Beaded (who looks to be racing below her best this autumn) and Millie Fox winner Red Tracer, before her last start demolition job in the Wiggle Quality. It is hard to make a case against her, especially given she meets the likes of Secret Admirer better at the weights. I guess the only query is if she has peaked too early. But really she deserves her spot in the market and must be given plenty of respect. Can win.
7. ABSOLUTELY (13)
8. OFCOURSEICAN (7)
A very nice win in the Liverpool City Cup against the boys. You’ll get a gauge with Somepin Anypin going around in the Canterbury Stakes. She loves it here at Rosehill and she has been incredibly consistent in recent times. The query is the distance. She is yet to race beyond 1300m and it is a tough race for her to be having her first start over this trip. With that in mind, I’m looking elsewhere. She could place though.
9. LADY’S ANGEL (11)
Wiggle Quality third placegetter who is slowly working her way in to form. She is yet to win beyond Listed level and it is hard to see how she will make the ground up on Steps In Time and Foxstar. She will be up near the speed though which could be a positive. That said, I can’t see her winning this.
10. BLISS STREET (4)
West Australian filly who won the Thousand Guineas Prelude last year. She actually beat home Australian Guineas and Randwick Guineas winner Mosheen on that occasion. Since then her form has been a little up and down. She was very good last start in the Kewney behind dominant Friday night winner Empress Rock. Bliss Street could not get a run until well inside the last 100m and so she wasn’t tested fully at all, yet she still ran third. She’s always looked like having the ability to pull an amazing run out of the hat one day, and it wouldn’t surprise if she ran a huge race here. Sneaky chance.
11. FOXSTAR (2)
I like this mare, I always have, I don’t know why. She still looks to be a peg below this level, but she’s on the verge. She was good in the Wiggle Quality. She has very good form at her third run from a spell throughout her career. I’m not sure she has the class to win but she is definitely in with a place chance.
12. ALBERTON PARK (3)
Former Queensland mare now with John O’Shea. She seems to have held her form from Queensland since she’s come to Sydney, perhaps even improving slightly. The question remains, though, is it good enough to win a Coolmore? On what I’ve seen so far I have my doubts. She seems to me to be a better 1200m type, and I have my doubts about her at the 1500m. Can’t see her winning and not in my selections.
13. DO RA MI (14)
This mare looked like being a star when she stormed home in last year’s Kewney Stakes at Flemington. But she has not come close to matching that form any time since. The closest she has come is a fifth in the Let’s Elope Stakes to Pinker Pinker last September. This field looks to be of a similar quality, so even if she was near that form I probably couldn’t entertain her here. But on her last run she is so far below that form it is crazy. The barrier adds another obstacle. Wouldn’t back her with your money.
14. TOMBOY (1)
Queensland mare who comes in with interesting formlines. She won quite impressively at Doomben two starts back while she just fell short in a Listed race at Eagle Farm last time out. She does look to be outclassed here but Robert Heathcote is on fire at the moment and he wouldn’t be here if he thought she wouldn’t be competitive. She’s not one I’ll be including but a big run wouldn’t surprise.
SUMMARY
Not sure this is that great an edition of the Coolmore Classic, although there are some nice horses here. I really like KING’S ROSE though, I think she’s weighted fairly and she seems to be a good miler. Her form is very similar to Secret Admirer but the small weight difference, 0.5kg, could come in handy at the end. That said, SECRET ADMIRER is very good and if she’s anywhere near her best she’ll be in the finish. STEPS IN TIME is in form and deserves a mention while I think BLISS STREET could be the sneaky chance of causing an upset. At the weight, I think Streama is a risk, while Red Tracer is next best.
NUMBERS
2 – KING’S ROSE
1 – SECRET ADMIRER
6 – STEPS IN TIME
10 – BLISS STREET
