Coolmore Classic Conundrum

Rosehill’s opening stanza of the Sydney Autumn Carnival offers an intriguing betting prospect, the Coolmore Classic.

Once the only major for Fillies and Mares, the Coolmore is now merely one of five, and moreover is viewed as a leadup to its erstwhile poor relation, The Queen Of The Turf, now lovingly ensconced within the bosom of the championships.

The rail returns to true, and despite the harbour city’s relentlessly fine autumn weather, irrigation relatively light. Nonetheless, the grass coverage, with a view to the ensuing meetings, promises to be long and dense, an arduous prospect for those contestants seeking the winning post.

“Making all” is feasible from a wide gate with a controlled lead, however, I suggest the ideal position to be in the running line, just off the pace. Inside draws are undesirable.

The principal lead-up to the feature is obviously the “Guy Walter”, run at Randwick with the rail out and the wind leeward, unflattering to closers.

Zanbagh performed well in the face of adversity, but has been ill-favoured with gate one; Slightly Sweet, well concealed to date, is set to find conditions to her liking today.

Meanwhile, Amicus, the tenaciously lone on-pacer in last year’s finish, is pitch-perfect following an inordinate amount of work in the early stages a fortnight back.

The southern contingent supplies the reigning Myer Stakes winner in Politeness, and more interestingly, a dynamic closer making her Sydney debut by the name of Azkadellia, anticipated to run pronounced favourite.

Much interest surrounds the performance today of the unbeaten filly, Ghisoni, finally confronted with a pressure scenario. Second-up, with a setback, into such a contest, is less than ideal.

An ill-fitting lead-up, a left-field favourite, and a picket-fence 3yo. Absorbing stuff.