Five fillies have won the Coolmore Classic since 2000, the latest being Typhoon Tracy in 2009. Typhoon Tracy started favourite that year, just as Ghisoni, one of two fillies in the race representing the Godolphin camp, is for Saturday’s renewal of the Group 1 feature. If she’s successful, she will give jockey Corey Brown since he steered Camino Rose to victory in 1999. It has proven a tough race for favourite though – especially in recent times. Five of the last eight Coolmore Classic winners have been double-figure prices and during that time, only two favourites have been successful.
1.LUCIA VALENTINA – J McDonald (7)
Returns to racing off a thirteen week spell with two trials under her belt, the latest of which she won in, winding up nicely over the concluding stages of the 1000m heat. First up last prep – also off of two trials pleasing trials, she finished hard to run sixth (1.6 lengths) behind Hooked in the G2 Tramway Stakes (1400m). Runs well fresh, 1500m and her own sex suits, as would be any rain.
2.POLITENESS – T Berry (13)
Backmaker who finished strongly first up in the Rubtion Stakes (1100m) behind Heatherly – who subsequently finished third in the G1 Oakleigh Plate, before holding her ground in a leader dominated race when seventh (4.2 lengths) to Turn Me Loose. Has some very strong form around her at present, won the G1 Myer Classic last spring over a mile, making it three consecutive wins against her own sex. Sure to be steaming home and a legitimate threat.
3.SOLICIT – K McEvoy (6)
No match for Our Boy Malachi first up and then Winx – finishing second to both in the Expressway and Apollo Stakes respectively, before deservedly winning the Guy Walter Stakes (1400m). In great form, puts herself in the right position to win races, has an exceptional record at this track, and will should be right in the mix
4.AMICUS – T Clark (12)
Arrived right on the line first up in the G2 NSW Breeder’s Classic (1200m) to defeat Press Report, before a below par performance in the Guy Walter Stakes where she finished second to last and 4.1 lengths behind Solicit. Contested this race third up last prep – after a plain second up run, and ran a big race at a big price ($51 into $31), to run fourth (neck) to Plucky Belle.
5.TINTO – D Browne (9)
Did all that was expected of her when resuming off a seven week break with a seventh (2.9 lengths) to Solicit in the Guy Walter Stakes (1400m). Poor second and last three wins have been all over 1800m. up last prep but does boat a second (1 lengths) to Happy Clapper over a mile in last year’s Villiers Stakes – giving him 3kgs.
6.PEEPING – S Clipperton (10)
Looked set to score first up but just peaked on run late and finished 3/4 of a length second to Sultry Feeling before getting the run of the race and chasing gamely, for third (1.8 lengths) in the Guy Walter behind Solicit. Honest mare but last two wins have been in fields of six and eight – over Two Blue and Howmuchdoyouloveme. Happy to risk her against a quality field with plenty of depth.
7.AZKADELLIA – B Prebble (4)
Registered her fifth win from only elven starts when scoring a head victory in last fortnight’s Mannerism Stakes (1400m). Tough win last time out and presenting her with 53kgs is very attractive, especially when considering she carried 56.5kgs in last year’s G1 Myer Stakes (1600m) where she finished third behind Politeness – whom she meets 3.5kgs better.
8.TELEPATHIC – J Collett (3)
Running second to First Seal is a good form line – and what this 5yo mare did last start in the G2 Millie Fox Stakes (1300m). Great stats around this track/distance and the Millie Fox was her first outing in six weeks, so should be able to improve further for it however, only win of her six wins has been has been in Stakes company (Listed Atc Cup) and would think she’ll find at least a couple within this field, too strong.
9.ZANBAGH – K O’Hara (1)
For a brief moment, looked like she was going to produce a fairytale and win the race named in honour of her former trainer, Guy Walter, however she finished a length second to Solicit. Excellent effort off of an eleven week break last time out and the extra furlong and strong tempo of this event, play in her favour. Last two wins have been well-spaced and come at Wyong and Kembla Grange but if she’s gets a touch of luck from the inside gate, given her first up run she could land a win in town.
10.SLIGHTLY SWEET – J Ford (11)
Got back and just held her ground when sixth to Sultry Feeling, who dominated from up on the speed, in the G3 Triscay Stakes (1200m) before doing her best work late in the Guy Walter Stakes (1400m), running sixth again. Third up last prep closed strongly in the G2 Tristarc Stakes to run fourth (1.8 lengths) to La Passe and Solicit. Gets right down in the weights here under the conditions of this race, had 56.5kgs in the Tristarc – and might be one for those looking to shop wide in a very open race.
11.VERGARA – D Moor (5)
Sat on the pace and battled on gamely to run fourth (2.3 lengths) to Solicit in the Guy Walter Stakes (1400m) – her second run back from a break. Will go forward but has missed a place at each of her six attempts at Group level just couldn’t see her breaking that duck here against a quality field.
12.GHISONI – C Brown (8)
As the betting market suggested she would, made it three from three with an all-the-way win in the Group 2 Surround Stakes. Improving at a rapid rate and given stable have put in her, she’s obviously come on strongly over the past fortnight. Will shoot forward with the feather weight assigned to her, but will be kept honest by a couple of hardened race-mares and being her first go beyond 1400m – would be happy to take her on at her current price.
13.PEARLS – W Costin (2)
Needed the run first up when second to last of seven in the G2 Light Fingers, before sticking on well from her position just behind the leaders, when fourth (2.1 lengths) to stable-mate Ghisoni. Fitter again, and gets a sweet run from two but appears to have too much ground to make up to be turning the tables on Ghisoni, and beating home some of the older mares.
RACE OVERVIEW
Solicit, Ghisoni, Peeping, Vergara – all push forward. Think Lucia Valentina can settle close enough, that with her first up record and 58kgs against her own sex – that she can put in a run here at big price. She one of only four in the race that have won previously at the top level. Solicit isn’t one of those four, but has a record deserved of a Group 1 win and might be able to obtain it here. She’s never gone better and should be in the right position to strike on the turn. As will be Azkadellia, who also seems destined to win a Group 1 fillies and mares race at some stage during her career. Politeness, Tinto will be steaming home and each great each-way value at double-figure odds.
