Lady Shenandoah and Lady Of Camelot, the top two finishers in the Surround Stakes, are set to renew their rivalry in the Coolmore Classic. However, both will need to overcome wide barriers.
Originally entered for the Phar Lap Stakes (1500m), Lady Shenandoah has now been withdrawn from that race. Her trainer, Chris Waller, has previously won the event with standout fillies such as Winx (2015), Verry Elleegant (2019), and Zougotcha (2022).
Despite her tough draw in barrier 13 of 15, Waller has chosen to test Lady Shenandoah against older mares in the Coolmore Classic. Lady Of Camelot, her Surround Stakes rival, has drawn directly outside her in barrier 14.
Prior to Wednesday’s barrier announcement, Waller had already indicated he was leaning toward the Coolmore Classic (1500m) due to its Group 1 status.
“She’s got nothing left to prove in terms of the Group Two Phar Lap,” Waller stated 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 will be joined in the Coolmore Classic by her stablemate Lazzura and the Michael Freedman-trained filly Manaal. Both also face challenging draws, with Lazzura starting from barrier eight and Manaal from gate 11.
Manaal has been unlucky with barrier draws this season, having jumped from gate 10 of 13 when unplaced in the Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) and then from 12 of 14 when finishing fifth behind Lady Shenandoah in the Surround Stakes (1400m).
Hoping for a better draw, Freedman entered Manaal for both the Coolmore Classic and the Phar Lap Stakes, but she landed barrier 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 excellent. She was four-wide with no cover and still fought on gamely to the finish.
“I think she is back to where I had her twelve months ago.”
Rachel King is booked to ride Manaal at 51kg if she contests the Coolmore Classic, while Jason Collett will take the reins if she runs in the Phar Lap Stakes.
“It will all come down to where I think she is best suited,” Freedman added.
Amelia’s Jewel will carry the top weight of 58kg in the Coolmore Classic and will attempt to become the first horse since Sunline (2002) to win while carrying more than 57kg.
Typhoon Tracy was the last filly to win the race in 2009, while Kimochi came close last year, finishing third as a three-year-old.
