Coolmore Classic day 2012 tips, preview and selections

A world class race meeting officially kicks off the Sydney Autumn Carnival on Saturday at Rosehill. The $600,000 Group One Coolmore Classic (1500m) is the feature race, with boom three-year-old Streama the early favourite at $2.80. Next best is Steps In Time a $5 and Red Tracer at $6.50 but there are proven Group One performers who are well over the odds, such as Secret Admirer at $9.50 and Yosei at $21.

The babies will race to earn a start in the $3.5 Million Aami Golden Slipper (1200m) as well on Saturday. The colts and geldings will contest the Todman Stakes (1200m) whilst the fillies will race in the Reisling Stakes (1200m). In the Reisling, all eyes will be on the Blue Diamond winner, Samaready. From all reports, she has improved since her triumph at Caulfield and is ready to scorch around the Rosehill turf.

Streama will start favourite in Saturday's Group 1 Coolmore Classic at Rosehill racecourse

Other highlights include the $400,000 Group One Ranvet Stakes (2000m), where a high quality field of 14 has been assembled. Rangirangdoo, Shoot Out, Trusting, Manighar, Wall Street, Southern Speed and kiwi mare Scarlett Lady will all do battle as they head towards the BMW (2400m) on Easter Saturday.

The other highlight will be in the Canterbury Stakes (1300m), where we see the Queen of Sydney racing, More Joyous, kick off her Autumn campaign. She has been flying in trackwork and is primed to win on Saturday.

Race One: Spotless Todman Stakes 1200m

Back Me: All Pierro has to do is turn up, jump well and he’ll beat these. Superb win in the Silver Slipper after missing the start and carrying some condition.
Don’t Back Me: Epaulette wasn’t overly impressive in winning the Black Opal. Yes, he was first up, but I doubt he’ll improve enough to trouble Pierro.
Big Danger: Faustus took an age to get going but once he did, he looked very good. Fitter, has drawn a touch awkwardly, but the trainer/jockey combo is flying.
Roughie: Blinkers going on Amorino here. Ran well in the Magic Millions in Queensland before having a break. Looked awesome in a recent barrier trial and could give this a shake with some luck.

Race Two: The Apn Spirit Of Outdoor Handicap 1200m

Back Me: Hot race here. Been really taken by Choice Words and her two wins from two starts this campaign. Big test here, but she looks capable of handling it.
Don’t Back Me: Falzzon had the perfect run and won accordingly. Just drawn not an ideal barrier here to get that exact run. And he does rise in weight.
Big Danger: Pampelonne has been scratched a couple of times recently, but looks to have found a nice race for his return. Trialled well recently and is ready to run a race on his home track.
Roughie: Liechtenstein didn’t really come up last prep. Back for another prep, flies fresh, handles all conditions and has drawn the inside gate.

Race Three: Jacobs Creek Reisling Stakes 1200m

Back Me: If the reports are right, then Samaready just wins here…and it’s hard to argue with that given how easily she has beaten the juveniles in Melbourne. If she brings that form here, she’ll win.
Don’t Back Me: Snitzerland, on face value, has looked impressive, but I just question what she has been beating. Acid test for her here.
Danger: Hussousa has been green in two runs this time in. Blinkers are on here, drawn perfectly and can certainly challenge the toppie.
Roughie: It is a big step up in grade, but the Waterhouse barn is on fire so The Broken Shore has to be included.

Race Four: McGrath Sky High Stakes 1900m

Back Me: With normal luck, Brayroan will win. Missed the kick last start and had no momentum, which is so important to have at Warwick Farm. Bigger track and some give in the ground will suit him perfectly.
Don’t Back Me: Vintedge appeared to have her chance at Flemington last start. Would have to improve a bit to win.
Big Danger: The up and comer here is Single, who is going through the grades. Biggest test to date but it’s hard to ignore his efforts in recent times.
Roughie: Reuben Percival might need one more run under his belt, but he was eye-catching at Warwick Farm, in the same race that Brayroan contested. Look for him to be on the speed and grind away.

Race Five: Myer Canterbury Stakes 1300m

Back Me: More Joyous looks to be a special here. Was very poor in the Spring, but judging on her only trial in getting prepared for this, she is back to her best. She should win.
Don’t Back Me: Ilovethiscity is a high class galloper, but he normally takes a run to find his best. Just watch him.
Big Danger: Sincero absolutely flies fresh and his trial win over More Joyous tells me he can certainly be a force in the Autumn.
Roughie: Hurtle Myrtle has a dreadful record at this track, but he won well in a recent barrier trial. Drawn well and Olly sticks with this mare. Definite outside chance.

Race Six: Ranvet Stakes 2000m

Back Me: Huge admirer of Scarlett Lady and she is getting back to her form from 12 months ago. Toughed it out very strongly to defeat champion galloper Veyron at Ellerslie on New Zealand Derby Day. WFA suits, and she has the best turn of foot out of these.
Don’t Back Me: I keep knocking Manighar, but he keeps performing well. Biggest test for him here.
Big Danger: Shoot Out was given a gem of a ride from Bowman to win the Chipping Norton. He is another that is getting back to his best form and the extra 400m is perfect.
Roughie: $13 for Rangirangdoo? I think the bookies didn’t watch the Chipping Norton, because he was unlucky and should have finished second.

Race Seven: Coolmore Classic 1500m

Back Me: I don’t like seeing Streama on the speed, because she is better suited off the pace, but she’ll have to go forward to win because on paper, Steps In Time will get the easiest lead of all time.
Don’t Back Me: Secret Admirer is the best performed horse in the race, but there won’t be enough speed for her to win.
Big Danger: Steps In Time is the danger, purely because she’ll get a very soft time in front.
Roughie: There is a few roughies for me. Yosei has won two group ones and is $21? Bliss Street was most unlucky at Flemington and is $26? Those two look big overs.

Race Eight: Spotless Pharlap Stakes 1500m

Back Me: Such a prestigous race, but gee it’s a poor field except a couple of gallopers. One of those is That’s The One. Super effort in the Australian Guineas after striking trouble in the run. Only has to bring his best form to give this a shake.
Don’t Back Me: Huegill hasn’t fired a shot for a while. Found a touch of form at Bendigo last weekend, but this is much harder.
Big Danger: Wild And Proud did far too much work in the Randwick Guineas from the wide barrier. The seven day back up is usually a good sign, plus he has drawn nicely and Nash jumps back on top.
Roughie: Look out for Aeronautical and Rekindled Alliance to charge home late. The 1500m suits, as does a firmer surface.

Race Nine: Bacardi Maurice McCarten Stakes 1100m

Back Me: Going for some value in Zaratone. Led and was only gunned down late at Canberra in a hot sprint race on Black Opal Day. Excellent second up record (5:3-0-1), drawn a handy gate, Kathy O’Hara is back on board and tumbles in weight.
Don’t Back Me: La Remlap always runs well, but she doesn’t remember how to win it seems.
Big Danger: If she was at her best, Karuta Queen would spank these, but there is a question mark on where she is at after two below par runs earlier in the Autumn. I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt because she is high class when right.
Roughie: Uate was very poor in the Spring, but judging on his barrier trials to tune up for the start of this campaign, he is getting back to his two-year-old form. Definite chance with a firm surface.

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