The Surround Stakes quinella of Lady Shenandoah and Lady Of Camelot are set for a Coolmore Classic rematch, although both will need to overcome outside barriers.
A dual acceptor for the Phar Lap Stakes (1500m), Lady Shenandoah has already been scratched from the three-year-old feature, a race her trainer Chris Waller has captured with a number of his top fillies including Winx (2015), Verry Elleegant (2019) and Zougotcha two years ago.
However, this time around, Waller has opted to take on the older mares with his two-time Group 1 winner despite Lady Shenadoah drawing barrier 13 of 15, immediately inside Lady Of Camelot.
Waller indicated prior to Wednesday’s release of the final fields and gates that he was leaning towards the Coolmore Classic (1500m) given its Group 1 status.
“She’s got nothing left to prove in terms of the Group Two Phar Lap,” Waller said on his weekly runner update on X.
“I would use the Phar Lap if she was going to go beyond (a mile), but there is no guarantee that she will.
“Will she run in the Vinery (Stud Stakes), 2000 metres? Unlikely. Will she freshen up and go to the Queen Of The Turf? Possibly. Will she run in the Doncaster (Mile)? Maybe. We will see how she is this Saturday. There is a bit to play out.”
Lady Shenandoah’s stablemate Lazzura and the Michael Freedman-trained Manaal round out the potential three-year-old contingent in the Coolmore Classic, the pair also drawing awkwardly in barriers eight and 11 respectively.
The alley continues an unfortunate pattern for Manaal, who jumped from 10 of 13 when unplaced in the Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) first-up and 12 of 14 when an improved fifth behind Lady Shenandoah in the Surround Stakes (1400m).
Hoping to circumvent a similar scenario at Rosehill on Saturday, Freedman accepted for the Coolmore and the Phar Lap Stakes, only for Manaal to draw 11 in both.
“I figured if I had two cracks, I might be a chance of drawing a barrier in one,” Freedman said.
“I thought her run last start was super. She was four-wide with no cover all the way and just kept fighting to the line.
“I think she is back to where I had her twelve months ago.”
Lightweight jockey Rachel King will partner Manaal at 51kg if she lines up in the Coolmore, while Jason Collett has been booked for the Phar Lap Stakes ride.
“It will all come down to where I think she sets up best,” Freedman said.
Amelia’s Jewel is the 58kg topweight for the Coolmore Classic and will be striving to become the first horse since Sunline (2002) to carry more than 57kg to victory.
Typhoon Tracy was the last filly to win in 2009, although Kimochi finished a close third as a three-year-old last year.
