The Group 1 Coolmore Classic for fillies and mares headlines an impressive nine-race program at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
The rail will remain in the true position around the entire course and at publish, we’re faced with a track rated in the Good (4) range.
Race 1 – 12:35pm AEDT – Catanach’s Handicap (1900m)
Great House is yet to run bad race in Australia, and he can record another win in the first on Coolmore Classic Day.
In fact, the Galileo gelding is yet to miss placing in five career starts, and won just his second under the care of Chris Waller here in late January, before filling the minors behind stable mate Yonkers last time out.
He looks to be at peak fitness for this contest and looks a live chance of getting our day off on the right foot.
Race 2 – 1:10pm AED – Group 3 Magic Night Stakes (1200m)
This year’s Magic Night Stakes looks to be a race in two between Arcaded and Mallory, and I am happy to stick with the former.
Arcaded stamped herself as a filly to follow with consecutive wins at her first two starts, including the Group 2 Blue Diamond Prelude for Fillies, before finishing down the order in the Blue Diamond Stakes last time.
This is obviously a drop in class from that race and I’m confident she’ll improve.
Race 3 – 1:45pm AEDT – Group 3 Pago Pago Stakes (1200m)
This is an outstanding edition of the Pago Pago Stakes and there is a case to be made for several runners, but I’m eager to take the value that is on offer for Head Of State ($14 at publish).
Head Of State finished fifth on debut in the Golden Gift, beaten just over two lengths by Sneaky Five, but he returned from a short break to comfortably win over 1300m at Warwick Farm.
This is an obvious rise in class, but he looks to have plenty of ability and upside, and his claims are further boosted by the booking of James McDonald.
Race 4 – 2:20pm AEDT – Group 3 Sky High Stakes (2000m)
Colette is one of the country’s best horses currently in work and she has opened a clear and justifiable favourite in Sky High Stakes betting.
I think she’ll win, but I have no intention of diving in at odds of $1.50.
Race 5 – 2:55pm AEDT – Group 3 Maurice McCarten Stakes (1100m)
California Zimbol hasn’t been seen at the races since Derby Day, but she races well fresh and the Maurice McCarten Stakes looms as the perfect autumn launchpad for her.
The I Am Invincible mare has missed placing only a handful of times throughout her twelve career starts, and she is a multiple black type winner.
She has had the benefit of a couple of trials leading up to her return and looks ready to go.
Race 6 – 3:35pm AEDT – Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes (1500m)
Poland was a late scratching from the Australian Guineas a fortnight ago, but he couldn’t have been more impressive fresh, and he can score a consolation win in the Phar Lap Stakes.
Poland enjoyed a smart debut prep during the spring in 2020, winning a high-rating BM64 race at Flemington most notably and ending his prep in the Caulfield Guineas, albeit a failed tilt.
He comfortably beat home some quality three-year-olds in the Autumn Stakes at Caulfield when resuming and will only have improved for that effort.
Race 7 – 4:15pm AEDT – Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m)
It tends to always be one of the more open Group 1 contests of the autumn and at publish, we’re once again faced with $6 the field in Coolmore Classic betting.
I’m going to have an each-way play on a couple here; Subpoenaed and Madam Rouge.
Subpoenaed is yet to record a Group 1 victory, but she is a multiple Group 2 winner, and she enters this race second-up from an impressive performance and win in the Millie Fox Stakes.
She typically enjoys big improvement with a run under her belt and looks a touch of overs at around the $11 mark.
Madam Rouge is also unlucky not to have recorded a Group 1 win, having gone within a whisker of claiming the Stradbroke Handicap last year, and she has stripped fitter for two starts back this time.
Both horses are drawn well, and they will be ridden by the in-form pairing of Tommy Berry and James McDonald.
Race 8 – 5pm AEDT – Group 2 Ajax Stakes (1500m)
The Ajax Stakes shapes as one of the better races on Coolmore Classic Day, but I am happy to follow in race favourite Criaderas.
He was outstanding during the Spring Carnival, and Criaderas returned from a break to finish a head second behind Think It Over in the Group 3 Liverpool City Cup at Randwick a fortnight ago.
He hasn’t missed placing when second-up and this looks a lovely race for him.
Race 9 – 5:40pm AEDT – Cellarbrations Handicap (1350m)
This is an extremely difficult way to end the day from a betting perspective and there are plenty of winning chances, and I’m going to have a nibble at one at a big price; Impi ($34 at publish).
Impi is a talented racehorse, but he has proven to be something of an enigma during his recent racing preparations, and has mixed his form.
I thought that there was a lot to like about his resuming effort down the straight at Flemington when resuming, and something of this quality is within his means, if he puts it all together.