2023 Coolmore Classic Tips and Top Selections

Coolmore Classic top selections and best bet

Known as the Coolmore Classic since 1996 the 1500m race for fillies three years old and up has had many names over the years since it was first run as the TAD (Thomas Arthur David) Kennedy Stakes in 1973. 

The race gives fillies and mares a chance to compete for a purse of $600,000 with the chance to become exempt from the Doncaster Mile Ballot and Queen Of The Turf Stakes an added bonus for the winner. 

Notable winners of the race in the path have included Emancipation, Shearco and Sunline who won the race twice, first in 2000 before doing the double in 2002. On the second occasion Sunline was able to win the Coolmore Classic carrying a whopping 60kgs. 

The 2023 edition of the Coolmore Classic looks set to be a barn burner with 16 runners set to contest the $600,000 prize money after equal race favourite Zougotcha and Excelida were scratched from the field.

2023 Coolmore Classic Race Overview

The 2023 Coolmore Classic looks to be one of the best fields assembled in recent years with fillies and mares travelling from interstate and even abroad to compete in the Rosehill Gardens Group One feature. 

Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr are set to present Annavisto as the race favourite after there 5 year old mare returned to the winners enclosure last time out when winning the Group 3 Tressady Stakes by 3.5l. Punters have been quick to support the mare backing her from $6.50 into a $3.80 standalone favourite. 

Chris Waller, despite scratching equal race favourite Zougotcha earlier in the week turns out a strong hand with Hinged ($7.50) and Espiona ($8.50) on the second and third lines of betting behind Annavisto.

There has been heavy backing for market mover Torgene who finished behind Espiona last time out. Torgene is trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustance and has received strong backing, moving from $23.00 to $13 through the week.

Of the best of the rest Surround Stakes place getter enters the race as a $9 chance while top UK trainer William Haggis enters the race with his 4 year old filly Purplepay who sits at $27.00 in betting. 

2023 Coolmore Classic Top Selections and Best Bet

With a near capacity field set to contest the Group One Coolmore Classic we have narrowed the field down to our top outside chance, the main danger as well as our best bet to win Rosehill Gardens feature race this Saturday.

Coolmore Classic Top Outside Bet - 7. Purplepay 

Trainer - William Haggis

Price - $31.00

There has been a trend of lightly raced and lightly weighted runners coming from the Northern Hemisphere in recent years and plundering the riches of Australian Racing. 

William Haggis is well versed in what is needed to win the best races in Sydney having seen Addeybb travelling to Australia and claim back to back Queen Elizabeth II Stakes titles over the likes of Verry Elleegant.

So we’re weary of the mould Purplepay could arrive in with the 4 year old having only had 13 career starts for 4 wins as well as a strong showing when 6th in the Group One Irish 1000 Guineas over 1609m carrying 58kgs. 

Her run that day was solid, hitting the line strongly and looking full of running when closing on the placegetters. He drops from 58.5kgs last time out to just 53.5kgs here, the lowest she has ever jumped off. 

She draws well and will be close to the speed if she gets away well and with the light weight could be a real threat late. Definitely worth an each way dabble at the price. 

Coolmore Classic Main Danger - 14. Espiona

Trainer - Chris Waller

Price - $8.50

I don’t think Chris Waller would have been too upset when having to scratch Zougotcha from this race with Espiona winning last time at the track and looking right in this based on previous form.

Espiona comes into this race having won the Group 3 Mannerism Stakes at Sandown Lakeside carrying 58kgs with relative ease defeating Torgene by over a length. 

She steamed home during the spring when winning a Group Three Sprint by over 7 lengths at Flemington however had seemed to refind that form until winning confidently over 1400m at Sandown.

She has a massive drop in weight her shifting from 58kgs down to just 51kgs. She also has a strong second up record claiming 2 wins and a place from 4 second up starts. 

Espiona looks to be a huge chance here and drawing barrier six should be able to truck along behind the leaders and fight out the finish.

Coolmore Classic Best Bet - 9. Ruthless Dame 

Trainer - Ciaron Maher and David Eustace

Price - $9.50

Ruthless Dame is our top pick for the Group One Coolmore Classic having travelled to Sydney and been oh so unlucky last time out in the Surround Stakes in 1400m.

As she’s stepped up in distance this campaign she seems to be finding more having finished third over 1300m and second over 1400m in her last two starts. 

Two starts back over the 1300m Rutheless Dame finished 0.2l behind Group One winner Jacquinot who was a beaten favourite last time out. 

Going well this campaign and the extra distance should suit the 3 year old here. Draws midfield which is a slight concern but her running style she likes to run from off the pace and finish strongly.

Conditions, barrier draw and distance all look to suit and should build nicely on her second place finish in the Surround Stakes.

Back Ruthless Dame to win