Group 1 racing continues in Sydney this weekend with the running of the 2016 Coolmore Classic at Rosehill Gardens. The 1500m event for the fillies and mares is supported by a further four Group 2's and two Group 3's, along with two Benchmark races. The racing in Sydney is set to really hot up after this weekend ahead of The Championships next month.
We'll be racing on a Good 3 track with the track currently rated as such and only fine weather predicted for both Friday and Saturday. The rail remains in the True position so there shouldn't be any obvious bias throughout the day, but as always it will be worth paying attention to the pattern of the early races.
We've gone through every race to hopefully provide a few winners, with a full runner-by-runner preview of the Group 1 Coolmore Classic.
Race 1 - Hartnell comes up $1.75 following the scratching of Pemberley and he doesn't have much to beat here so really should win, but I could make a case for Who Shot Thebarman at $12 as he steps up to 2000m at his third run back from a spell.
Race 2 - Souchez can bounce back here with the aid of a good draw. He raced on speed and covered ground last start before finishing 3rd. The value could be the James Cummings horse Potent Force who has placed in two trials leading into this. Tommy Berry is a strong booking and he's been $71 into $13 since markets opened. I think he'll run a huge race on debut.
Race 3 - Pretty keen on Gai Waterhouse's horse Prompt Response here who returns for the first time since running 2nd to Concealer on debut at Flemington. She was well backed that day and the form has proved very good. She's won a trial very easily leading into this and has the plum draw on the rail. Looks very hard to beat.
Race 4 - Very ordinary race but Word Of Mouth could finally deliver another win here. Normally takes a few runs to get going and put the writing on the wall last start when 2nd to Pemberley, which looks to be decent form. Maps to get a good run in midfield and is ready to peak.
Race 5 - I've got this as the market suggests - between Alberto Magic and Craftiness. As the market stands I'm happy to back Alberto Magic and saver Craftiness. Alberto has won 6 from 10 and remains undefeated first up. His two wins last prep were outstanding and he's won two trials leading into this so looks ready to go.
Race 6 - Old North comes up favourite after a good win first up at Warwick Farm under a big weight but at the prices I'd rather back Single Gaze with her form around Mahuta and Ghisoni. She'll get a great run from barrier 2. I'll wait until Sacred Eye gets to 2000m before backing her.
Race 7 - Coolmore Classic 1500m - Group 1
LUCIA VALENTINA: Ran the race of her life in Hong Kong when we last saw her but her task here is very difficult first up with 58kg in a handicap over 1500m. I expect her to go well but won't be in the money.
POLITENESS: Winner of the G1 Myer Classic over 1600m last prep and comes into this third up and ready to fire. Barrier 13 isn't so much of an issue as she gets back anyway. Tough task with the way the weights are but wouldn't rule her out.
SOLICIT: Racing in fantastic form again this prep. 2nd to Winx two starts back certainly reads well, and backed that up with a win last start at G2 level, but she was helped by the track bias. Expect her to go really well again.
AMICUS: Raced on speed last start which didn't suit her and won first up previous to that.Tricky barrier to contend with and I've got a few ahead of her but the Chris Waller factor means you can't rule a horse like her out.
TINTO: Won consecutive races on the Gold Coast and then raced wide behind Solicit last start. Will strip fitter here as she had a 7 week break before last start but she might not be quite good enough.
PEEPING: Placed in both runs so far this prep and comes into this third up where she is undefeated. She's won 3 from 4 at the track and the 53.5kg brings her into this.
AZKADELLIA: Should have won the Myer Classic last prep when she flew home to get 3rd. Gets a 3.5kg weight swing from Politeness under handicap conditions here and looks ready to peak third up. 53kg, Brett Prebble down from Hong Kong to ride and barrier 4 all make her a huge chance.
TELEPATHIC: Huge run behind First Seal in the Millie Fox last start where she was first up for 7 weeks. First Seal has since come out and run 2nd in a G1. Drops to 52kg and gets a very good draw in barrier 3. Never missed a place at this track or distance. Rates a big chance for Waller.
ZANBAGH: Another great return run behind Solicit last start and she drops 4kg to 51kg here. Although her 2nd up form reads terribly she did run well 2nd up last prep. Might have a bit of trouble from barrier 1 but with no weight she is a small chance.
SLIGHTLY SWEET: Didn't have much luck behind Solicit and comes into this third up where she has won 2 from 3. Down to 51kg makes her a blowout chance.
VERGARA: 4th behind Solicit last start and has finished in the top 2 at all three starts over this distance but she's not as well off at the weights as some of the other horses to come out of that race.
GHISONI: Very talented Godolphin filly that has been earmarked as a potential star from day 1 at the trials. Undefeated from 3 starts and returned with a great win in the Surround Stakes where she was a bit underdone. Down 6kg from that to 50kg, she has every chance and definitely the ability to win, but is this test a bit soon for her at just her 4th start?
PEARLS: Suited out to this distance. Won a G2 over 1400m and ran 0.75 length 4th in a G1 behind Speak Fondly last prep. Well drawn and 50kg on her back makes her a decent each way chance.
Summary
Fantastic edition of the race and a tough one to work out but going to stick with Azkadellia who is ready to break through at this level and gets all the conditions to suit her here. Ghisoni looks a star in the making and with just 50kg I expect her to go very well but I just wonder if a race of this pressure is too soon for her at only her fourth start. Despite the weight I expect Politeness to measure up and run a big race, while others down at the bottom of the weights such as Zanbagh, Pearls and Telepathic should be very competitive.
1st AZKADELLIA
2nd POLITENESS
3rd GHISONI
4th TELEPATHIC
Race 8 - Very good race but happy to stick with Rock Sturdy at the $6 odds following his first up run in the Liverpool City Cup. Looks like he's taken the step to the next level, and if we look at his last run last prep behind Turn Me Loose in the Emirates it backs that theory up! Well drawn and rates a huge chance.
Race 9 - Might pay to stick with El Doute who found winning form last start with the blinkers on. Quite a few winning chances here but he's drawn reasonably well and could be competitive again at each way odds.
Take note: Any of the tips in this article are simply the author’s opinion, so bet at your own risk and always gamble responsibly. Also be sure to check out the Before You Bet Twitter Page for all our thoughts in the lead up to bets! Happy punting!
