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2023 Coolmore Classic Runner By Runner Preview, Odds & Tips

Whilst the country’s best sprinters burn the turf at Flemington on Saturday, the ladies get their chance to shine at Rosehill Gardens in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic. The $600k fillies and mares quality, run over 1500m, looks a very even and open contest this year with 17 starters to do battle, after the early scratching of Zougotcha.

Looking at the market, Dabble has last start Flemington winner Annavisto favourite in a wide open affair at $5.50, ahead of both Hope In Your Heart and Ruthless Dame at $7.50. Gritty mare, Hinged, is also well in contention at $8.00 and it’s out to double figures the rest of the field, headed by Espiona at $10.


If the market is anything to go by for Saturday’s Rosehill feature, punters will have their work cut out finding the winner. So, we have dissected each of the horses’ chances for you and provided our horse racing tips! Read on below to find our runner by runner preview of the 2023 Coolmore Classic along with The Shark’s best tips. 

1. Hinged (12) – $8.00
Jockey – James McDonald 57kg
Trainer – Chris Waller

Ran the champ, Anamoe, to a half length first up in the Apollo Stakes before another solid performance in the Chipping Norton last start. Ran third in this race last year behind Lighthouse, albeit with 52.5kg, and deserves top weight in this year’s event. Will need some luck from the draw but looks a major player.

2. Annavisto (16) – $5.50F
Jockey – Nash Rawiller 56kg
Trainer – Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr

Put a space in them first up at Flemington over 1400m. Second up record isn’t quite as impressive but is a winner and handles the Sydney way of going. Will be sent forward from the wide gate in search of the front and will take a bit of running down. 

3. Hope In Your Heart (9) – $7.50
Jockey – Tim Clark 56kg
Trainer – Kerry Parker

Resumed in fine style at Randwick a fortnight ago, when too good for Larkspur Run and co in the Guy Walter. Really found a purple patch last prep, finishing fourth in the Golden Eagle and second in The Gong, and looks to have come back just as well. Will get a nice run behind the speed and can make it two from two this prep here.

4. Mustang Valley (11) – $18
Jockey – Chad Schofield 55kg
Trainer – Andrew Forsman

Talented Kiwi mare who was good last start behind Hope In Your Heart, without much luck. Meets her 3.5kg better here and only has to find 0.8L to turn the tables. Should be able to find cover from the middle draw and can easily figure in the finish. Don’t dismiss.

5. Zougotcha (14) – SCRATCHED

Jockey – Kerrin McEvoy 54kg
Trainer – Chris Waller

N/A.

6. Mirra Vision (3) – $23
Jockey – Tom Sherry 54kg
Trainer – Peter & Paul Snowden

Runner-up in this race last year who led and faded late in the Guy Walter behind Hope In Your Heart. Came off a similar effort in the same race last year and ran huge in this. Good gate suits and will be fitter. Include in exotics.


7. Purplepay (5) – $23
Jockey – Regan Bayliss 53.5kg
Trainer – William Haggas

Newmarket based galloper who finds herself on the other side of the world for a crack at Group 1 success. Drawn to get a nice trip but very hard to line her form up against this lot. Market may be the best lead. 

8. Expat (1) – $16
Jockey – Tyler Schiller (a) 53kg
Trainer – Mark Newnham

Led and fought on well behind Electric Girl first up in the Millie Fox. Winner has since been placed at Group 1 level. Was keen on her chances in this race last year when she finished fifth. Will roll forward again from the low draw and be in it for a long way, the last 100m will be the test. Place hope.

9. Ruthless Dame (10) – $7.50
Jockey – Dylan Gibbons (a) 52.5kg
Trainer – Ciaron Maher & David Eustace

Lightly raced filly who just missed last start in the Surround Stakes. She ran Jacquinot to a neck the start prior which reads well for this. Should land off the pace here and with 52.5kg on her back, will be a big threat late. Include.

10. Sheeza Belter (7) – $13
Jockey – William Pike 52.5kg
Trainer – Peter & Paul Snowden

Ridden too close first up in the Light Fingers before a much better run last time out in the Surround Stakes. Should be ready to peak here third up and has drawn well. Pike has surrendered a good book of rides to head east and it might be for good reason. Not out of it.

11. Excelida (18) – $21
Jockey – Brett Prebble 52.5kg
Trainer – Ben & JD Hayes

Ran some good late splits last start, despite being beaten 4.2L by Annavisto. Will appreciate the step up in trip now and the weight drop but has come up with a horror draw. Needs luck but can figure if she gets it.


12. Larkspur Run (17) – $41
Jockey – Rachel King 52kg
Trainer – James Cummings

Didn’t do much first up in the Triscay before a much improved effort last time behind Hope In Your Heart. Another who has come up with a terrible gate and may struggle at the end of 1500m. Willing to risk.

13. Yearning (8) – $13
Jockey – Zac Lloyd (a) 52kg
Trainer – Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes

Luckless first up in the Guy Walter but sprouted wings late when clear. Usually takes a couple of runs to reach her peak but 1500m second up is ideal and gets the winkers on. Good gate, in form jock, plenty to like.

14. Espiona (6) – $10
Jockey – Michael Dee 51kg
Trainer – Chris Waller

Got back in the winners stall last start with a dominant victory at Sandown over 1400m. Was a beaten favourite in this race last year and doesn’t have the best record here at Rosehill, but has drawn well and nobody is riding better than M Dee at present. Each-way hope if she puts her best foot forward.

15. Times Square (13) – $41
Jockey – Jay Ford 51kg
Trainer – Ciaron Maher & David Eustace

Former French galloper new to the Maher/Eustace yard. Like Purplepay, it’s hard to line her form up against this lot and the market may be the best lead. Willing to go around her for now but have to respect the stable.


16. More Prophets (15) – $81
Jockey – Brock Ryan 51kg
Trainer – John Thompson

Ran well in the Triscay first up before covering more ground than Burke and Wills last start in the Guy Walter and fighting on gamely. Only issue here is she’s drawn the carpark again and will most likely be in the same boat. If things go her way early she’s going good enough to finish in the money.

17. Toregene (4) – $18
Jockey – Dean Yendall 51kg
Trainer – Matthew Williams

Chased home Espiona in good style first up at Sandown. Winner of four from six prior to that. This is her biggest test to date but has plenty of upside and has drawn well. Either way you can be guaranteed it’ll be expletives or raging horns in the post race interview from Dean Yendall.

18. Pride Of Jenni (2) – $26
Jockey – Robbie Dolan 51kg
Trainer – Ciaron Maher & David Eustace

Another mare who comes through the Espiona Sandown race, where she finished a sound fourth. Form prior was solid in some good races but this looks a big test. Can sneak a place from the low draw with 51kg.

Final Word

It only takes one glance at the form guide to realise this year’s Coolmore Classic is a very competitive race. As the market suggests there are a host of winning chances, but feel we’ve found some value with our top selection, Sheeza Belter.


The Team Snowden trained filly should be ready to peak here third up, after an eye-catching finish in the Surround Stakes last start. The step up to 1500m suits and Pike heads east to stick with her. From the good gate she should land a nice spot midfield and be very strong late.

Fellow three-year-old filly, Ruthless Dame, is flying. She ran Jacquinot to a neck first up at Sandown before going down a pimple in the Surround Stakes last start. She’s another who will trail the speed and be hard to hold out in the final stages of the race.

The Team Hawkes trained, Yearning, was good first up and deserves a mention here. She had no luck on that occasion and was very strong through the line when clear. The 1500m is a tick, she drops 6kg, meeting some rivals far better at the weights here and gets winkers on for the first time.

Hinged will find this easier than her past couple behind Anamoe but has to carry top weight, Hope In Your Heart returned in good style a fortnight ago and Kiwi mare Mustang Valley was luckless in that race and meets Hope In Your Heart 3.5kg better off at the weights.

Coolmore Classic TipLogo

10. Sheeza Belter – Each-way ($13/$4.00)

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*Odds correct at time of writing, courtesy of Dabble.

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2022 Coolmore Classic Runner By Runner Preview, Odds & Tips

The Coolmore Classic is a 1500m Group 1 handicap for fillies and mares, run at Rosehill racecourse. The winner of the $600k feature is exempt from ballot for both the G1 Doncaster Mile, and the G1 Coolmore Legacy Stakes, and is also eligible to take home a $1m bonus if they can win the G1 Empire Rose Stakes at Flemington, during the Spring Carnival. 

Last year’s race was taken out by Qld trained mare, Krone, who is looking to go back-to-back this year. If she is to do so, she will have to handle the slop, as the track is currently rated a heavy10.

Looking at the market for this year’s Coolmore Classic, Dabble has the Chris Waller trained 3YO filly, Espiona, favourite at $3.80, ahead of a number of runners around the $6-$7 mark. They include last start G1 runner-up, Lighthouse, in form mare, Expat, G1 Surround Stakes winner, Hinged, and talented mare Promise of Success. 

One thing we know with horse racing is, anything can happen, and this year’s Coolmore Classic looks to be an open race. So, we have dissected each of the horses’ chances for you! Read on below to find our runner by runner preview of the 2022 Coolmore Classic along with The Shark’s best tips. 

1. Krone (3) – $20
Jockey – Chad Schofield 58kg
Trainer – Tony Gollan

Winner of this race last year, who finished 4th last start in the G2 Millie Fox Stakes behind Expat. Hasn’t won a race since her Coolmore win 12 months ago, and has to carry an extra kilo in this year’s feature. In saying that, she has won 2 from 3 on heavy ground, and I’m sure will be spot on for her assignment here. 

2. Polly Grey (1) – $21
Jockey – Brenton Avdulla 56.5kg
Trainer – Chris Waller

On the 7 day back up after resuming from a freshen in the G3 Aspiration. She found Le Lude too sharp on that occasion, but did have 61kg on her back. She loves Randwick, and has great wet track form. Will be sent out big odds here, but looks capable of running top 4.

3. Vangelic (17) – $21
Jockey – Tim Clark 56.5kg
Trainer – Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott

Finished an unlucky 4th in this race last year, as well as a good 3rd in the $7.5m Golden Eagle. Resumed this prep with a solid 3rd in the G2 Guy Walter Stakes in similar conditions. Draws the outside gate here, but has plenty of early speed. Will most likely find herself in front, and has proven she’s good enough to stick on in this grade.

4. Lighthouse (6) – $6.50
Jockey – Jason Collett 56kg
Trainer – Ciaron Maher & David Eustace

Good mare who has grown a leg since arriving in Australia from the US. Runner up in the G1 CF Orr, and the G1 Canterbury Stakes her last two, and drops back to her own sex now. Handles all conditions, and if she can run a strong 1500m, she will be hard to beat yet again.


5. Shout The Bar (15) – $71
Jockey – Regan Bayliss 56kg
Trainer – Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott

*This horse has since been scratched.* 

Dual G1 winner, who has found it hard to find form in recent preparations. Dropped right out first up, in the G2 Guy Walter on a heavy10, which she will have to face again here. Has the ability, but can’t have her on recent efforts.

6. Expat (10) – $7.00
Jockey – Tom Sherry (a) 54kg
Trainer – Mark Newnham

Tough mare who is stringing together a very respectable record. Won the G2 Millie Fox Stakes last start, which looks strong form. Placegetters, Belucci Babe and Le Lude, both thrashed their rivals last Saturday in G3 company, and she’s a winner of 4 from 5 on heavy ground.  If she can get a couple of cheap sectionals up front, there’s no reason she can’t add a G1 to her CV.

7. Wandabaa (7) – $12
Jockey – Tommy Berry 53.5kg
Trainer – Kris Lees

Honest mare, who rarely runs a bad race. Got the job done on wet ground last start in the G3 Newcastle Newmarket. Ran 2nd to Lost and Running in last year’s $1m Hunter, who I think can win the G1 Newmarket at Flemington. Gets another heavy track here which suits, and if the tempo is strong up front, she will be charging late. Good chance at odds.

8. Hinged (12) – $7.50
Jockey – William Pike 52.5kg
Trainer – Chris Waller

Got the job done nicely last start, in the G1 Surround Stakes at Randwick, on a heavy10. She proved on that occasion that she’s a classy filly, and her record in the wet is second to none. Gets the Wizard on here, and can’t be taken lightly.

9. Atishu (9) – $26
Jockey – Kathy O’Hara 52kg
Trainer – Chris Waller

Pulled the old ‘Chautauqua’ trick first up in the G3 Liverpool Stakes, when she refused to jump. She was well supported in the market there, and has been back to the trials to clean up her manners. She jumped away cleanly in the trial and wasn’t asked to do a lot. Was beaten under 2L in last year’s G1 Epsom Hcp, and has solid wet track form. If she jumps with them, she is more than capable of running a race at odds.

10. Le Lude (14) – SCRATCHED
Jockey – N/A
Trainer – John Thompson

N/A.

11. Mirra Vision (16) – $21
Jockey – Sam Clipperton 51.5kg
Trainer – Peter & Paul Snowden

Resumed with a good run in the G3 Triscay Stakes behind Snapdancer, where her late splits were good. Disappointing last start in the G2 Guy Walter behind Forbidden Love, and the heavy track may have been to blame. If the track dries out and gets back to soft, she is well in contention. 


12. Promise of Success (13) – $6.50
Jockey – Rachel King 51kg
Trainer – John O’Shea

Former UK galloper, who hasn’t missed a place in her 8 Australian runs. She got to the line well last start in the G2 Guy Walter behind Forbidden Love, as she did first up in the G3 Triscay Stakes. She has good wet track stats, and should be strong late with 51kg on her back. Definite winning chance.

*Also accepted in the G3 Matron Stakes at Flemington.

13. Kiku (11) – SCRATCHED
Jockey – N/A
Trainer – Chris Waller

N/A.

14. Yes Baby Yes (2) – $101
Jockey – Tyler Schiller (a) 51kg
Trainer – Leon & Troy Corstens

Victorian mare who finished 3rd in the G3 Vamos Stakes at Launceston last start. Her form prior was only fair and she’s had 2 goes in the heavy and been unplaced both times. No.

*Also accepted in the G3 Matron Stakes at Flemington.

15. Espiona (4) – $3.80F
Jockey – Jay Ford 50kg
Trainer – Chris Waller

Boom filly who has put in two big efforts this prep, albeit without winning. Her first up 2nd in the G2 Light Fingers Stakes was very good, and her run in the G1 Surround Stakes a fortnight ago was full of merit. The step up to 1500m here looks no problem, and she’s proven in the wet. Gets a weight pull on stablemate Hinged, and has to be given another chance in this race.

16. Fangirl (5) – SCRATCHED
Jockey – N/A
Trainer – Chris Waller

N/A.

17. Cap Estel (8) – $81
Jockey – Quayde Krogh 50kg
Trainer – Anthony Cummings

Midway winner last start, on a heavy10, in impressive fashion. Beat home Hope In Your Heart two starts back, who was beaten 2.6L in the G1 Surround. Rock hard fit filly, with no weight, and on a wet track which she excelled in last start, all factors that could see her run a cheeky race at cricket score odds.

Final Word

As seen in Sydney in recent weeks, it looks as though this year’s Coolmore Classic will be run on a pretty wet track. Race favourite, Espiona, has shown she can handle all conditions and looks well in with 50kg on her back. Although she was beaten by stablemate Hinged last start, she is a deserved favourite and will be out to turn the tables.


Lighthouse hasn’t put a foot wrong since landing down under, and will be looking to go one better after finishing runner-up in her last two starts at G1 level. She’s drawn to get a nice run behind the speed, and has good wet track form. 

Expat, from the Newnham yard, is looking to make it 2 from 2 this prep, after a gutsy first up win in the G2 Millie Fox. As mentioned, the form out of that race has been strong, and she’ll make her own luck on the speed.

Hinged will be out for more G1 glory after her last start Surround Stakes win, and finds suitable conditions again here, and Promise of Success has plenty of upside, and if she runs here, will take plenty of holding out late in the race. 

The winning chances go on and on in what seems a very open race. Vangelic will be in it for a long way, Krone hasn’t been far away of late, Wandabaa can win again, and Atishu, if she jumps, can finish in the money.

At the end of the day, I think my hard earned money will be going the way of Expat. Her record speaks for itself, she loves wet ground, and she is as tough as the day is long. The form out of the Millie Fox has been good, and with the benefit of that run under her belt, I think she can roll forward and take plenty of running down.

Best Coolmore Classic Tip: 6. Expat – Each Way ($7.00/$2.45)

If you need more news, information and tips, head over to our Coolmore Classic page for all your punting needs!

*Odds correct at time of writing, courtesy of Dabble.