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.
Biggest threat to Espiona in the Coolmore Classic? pic.twitter.com/SpWgOn6Jfz
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) March 10, 2022
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.
ICYMI: Markets are open on a slate of Rosehill races this Saturday. Which race has your Best Bet in it?
– Coolmore Classic
– Sky High Stakes
– Ajax Stakes
– Phar Lap Stakes
– Magic Night Stakes
– Pago Pago Stakes
– Maurice McCarten Stakes pic.twitter.com/4BoMgMFEwE— TAB (@tabcomau) March 7, 2022
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.
The Coolmore Classic is wide open! pic.twitter.com/JMSKM02sXM
— TAB (@tabcomau) March 9, 2022
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.
