A near capacity field has been assembled for the Coolmore Classic (1500m) this Saturday at Rosehill, where Chris Waller looks like he will have a strong hand in the race.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2023 Coolmore Classic.
2023 Coolmore Classic Speed Map
There looks to be two main speed runners here with Ananvisto and Expat. Think Expat will hunt up early and I think if she is any chance of running 1500m, the best option will be to opt for a sit, so Annavisto could get it cheap in front. Mirra Vision won’t be far away, likewise Sheeza Belter if they ride her positively.
2023 Coolmore Classic Runner Preview:
1. Hinged: Flying this mare and this is the easiest race she has contested in 12 months. Both runs this prep have been behind Anamoe and each run has had good merit to it. The knock I have with her is that her lone win with Waller was a bob of the head win in a pretty weak Surround, as a whole. Drawn wide, topweight…I am keen to oppose her.
2. Annavisto: She gets a great chance for that elusive Group l win. Her win first up at Flemington was outstanding, producing sustained speed from the front and smashing the clock. The query will be stretching it to 1500m and taking on better opposition but on a rock hard Rosehill deck, she is suited by the pattern.
3. Hope In Your Heart: Gun mare that is just so genuine. Trials leading into the Guy Walter were so so but she proved she is a race day horse, surging hard from off the speed for a great return. Ran so well last prep at this track/distance in the Golden Eagle, and off the first up run, she’s hard to beat.
4. Mustang Valley: Mustang Valley looks right on target for this race. She was kept pretty safe in betting two weeks back in the Guy Walter and I think you can make a case that with clear air, she wins the race instead of a third to Hope In Your Heart, getting held up before going inside to inferior ground and driving hard late. Truly run 1500m should be ideal…the only knock is a firm deck, but she has class.
5. Zougotcha:
6. Mirra Vision: I can’t have her. I was keen on her first up in the Guy Walter but after a good time of it on speed, she found nothing in the straight and was very plain. Would need to improve big time IMO to figure in the finish.
7. Purplepay: When I glanced at her form, I thought no chance. But a closer look, gee it reads well. Emily Upjohn/Tuesday form is some of the best European F&M form & she was far from disgraced in the Irish 1000 Guineas. Will say though, she needs wet ground. Two runs on dry have been plain.
8. Expat: Game mare that will put herself on speed. Resumed in the Millie Fox and she was brave, just bloused late by Electric Girl, who came out and placed in the Canterbury Stakes at Group l level, so the form reads very well. She has won at the mile previously, but I think as she gets older, beyond 1200/1300m sees her out, and she’ll cop heat from Annavisto.
9. Ruthless Dame: Big effort in the Surround. Wide no cover for the trip yet kept finding the line and really, she was only pipped on the peg by a filly who did no work in the run and drove hard late. I think she is talented…enough to beat these? I am saying no.
10. Sheeza Belter: Sheeza Belter is a great each way bet here IMO. Forgiving of the Light Fingers effort given they rode her a touch warm I thought. She then went to the Surround when dragged back and took a while to wind into her work but loved the way she found the line late behind Sunshine In Paris. Hoping they ride her more forward, hopefully settling just off the speed, and on a firm deck, hard fit, she gets her chance.
11. Excelida:
12. Larkspur Run:
13. Yearning: Group l winner that is 1kg over the minimum so from a weights perspective, she is thrown in. Real eye catcher in the Guy Walter and was very good late from the back behind Hope In Your Heart. Gets a significant weight pull on that mare here and will love the rise in trip as well. Easy to see why she’s fancied.
14. Espiona: Think she’s hard to beat at Flemington and there is enough evidence to say she saves her best for Melbourne. Great return to the winners list in the Mannerism and she gets the gun big race rider, Mick Dee, right down to 51kg…bit going for her.
15. Times Square:
16. More Prophets: She has been close up in two runs back from a spell, but she has proven time and time again she is just a bit below Group l level.
17. Toregene: Toregene creates interest. Market said she may have needed the run when resuming two weeks ago in the Mannerism and that’s how she raced. Had the suck run and presented to win but couldn’t quite finish it off, being bloused late by Espiona. Good second up record and she’s much better suited at 1500m. Has plenty going for her here to be a sneaky chance.
18. Pride Of Jenni: Good mare, but she races best when leading and getting control. She won’t be getting that here and is outclassed.
2023 Coolmore Classic $100 Betting Strategy:
I have been hot on Sheeza Belter for this race for a while so happy to have $20 Win/$80 Place.
Group l Strategy Outlay: $4250
Group l Strategy Return: $2969.50
