VIDEO: Sam Hyland – Coolmore Classic
After a smorgasbord of Group 1 races last Saturday, this week we have just the one – the Coolmore Classic (Race 7) at Rosehill – and it’s an absolute belter. With $600,000 on the table, the race has attracted a large field of high-class fillies and mares, and such is the depth, you could have 10 picks in the race and still miss the winner. Ron Quinton has two top chances, DIXIE BLOSSOMS (No. 1) and DAYSEE DOOM (No. 3), as does James Cummings with ALIZEE (No. 8) and RAIMENT (No. 13), while Victorian visitors SILENT SEDITION (No. 2), BRING ME ROSES (No. 15) and OREGON’S DAY (No. 18) look to have solid each-way hopes.
The undercard is incredibly strong, highlighted by the $200,000 Group 2 Ajax Stakes (Race 8). Chris Waller has five of the 10 runners – TOM MELBOURNE (No. 2), COMIN’ THROUGH (No. 3), MCCREERY (No. 4), CELLARMAN (No. 7) and LIFE LESS ORDINARY (No. 8) – and only the latter is likely not to be in single figures. PRIZED ICON (No. 1) will enjoy not having to worry about star mare Winx, and his three runs this time in have been full of merit.
At Flemington, the feature is the Group 2 Blamey Stakes (Race 5), where only six runners have accepted. Champion trainer Darren Weir holds the aces, with Group 1 winners TOSEN STARDOM (No. 1) and HUMIDOR (No. 2) set to dominate the betting (and probably the race). They appear to be a class above their rivals. Tassie raider HELLOVA STREET (No. 3) is a beauty, having finished in the top three in 31 of his 37 starts (including his past eight), and looks certain to run his usual honest race.
The Group 3 Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (Race 4) is a competitive race, with a number of high-class two-year olds engaged. Heading the pack is the Lindsay Park-trained KHULAASA (No. 2), who has been most impressive in her two runs to date. METRONOME (No. 3) won like a good horse last start at Moonee Valley, while KRONE (No. 1) should be competitive after winning at Listed level in Adelaide a fortnight ago.
Best Bets:
ROSEHILL
Race 3, No. 1 – Sunlight
FLEMINGTON
Race 7, No. 3 – Kiwia
