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Coolmore Classic 2017 race preview
09 March 2017 11:16 AM
A field of 19 lines-up on a rain drenched Rosehill racecourse in the 2017 edition of the Coolmore Classic. After weeks of rain it appears that the weather gods are smiling now with pundits predicting a heavy 8 for this Group 1 contest.
The Group 2 Surround Stakes, the main lead-up race to the Coolmore, was run at Randwick a fortnight ago on a deteriorating heavy 9. The race saw La Bella Diosa sneaking along the inside rail to save ground and win by 1.5 lengths over the fast finishing Omei Sword, while Global Glamour claimed third.
The second lead-up race was the Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes. Tim Clark was allowed to control the speed on Dixie Blossoms, finding the fast lane in the home straight to go on and win by an impressive 6 lengths. Zangbagh was runner-up and did enough fresh to warrant respect. While impressive I’ve rated these runs behind the Surround Stakes top performers.
The Favourites
Omei Sword $3.70 – the Chris Waller trained filly was very impressive last start, considering she was restrained near last and never given a chance to win when resuming. She did her best work late in the worst part of track and will surely improve. Barrier 19 shouldn’t be a concern. Brenton Avdulla is likely to look for a spot two or three wide with cover, which should set her up to fly home over the top of them.
Dixie Blossoms $6.50 – her last start performance was impressive to the eye but I don’t rate the win that highly considering the race pattern. I‘ve left her out of the top four.
Global Glamour $9 – Was ridden terribly last start by a jockey who rarely gets it wrong. In hindsight the rail was the place to be - not the middle of the track. If she stayed on the rails, she would have won by 2 lengths. Kerrin McEvoy takes the ride and he won’t be making the same mistake. Expect her to make the running and prove very hard to run down.
Going Wide
First Seal $26 – on class and ability alone she should be a short price favourite. Throw in an interrupted campaign, poor barrier and first-up on a heavy track, we get the very juicy odds of $21. Blake Shinn riding is a huge plus. There is no pressure on him from the barrier, he can take his chances and push forward behind Global Glamour or sit back and take runs with Omei Sword. Here’s
hoping in-form trainer John Thompson has First Seal ready to fire first-up.
The Verdict
Class horses win Group 1’s which Omei Sword and First Seal have in abundance. Global Glamour may be just outside these two, but she has the polish of the Waterhouse & Bott training combination and will be the one to run down.
1st Omei Sword
2nd Global Glamour
3rd First Seal
4th La Bella Diosa
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Michael Gannon