The Coolmore Classic is often the major autumn target for some of the country’s best mares, and a typically talented field has accepted for Saturday’s feature race at Rosehill Gardens.
Won by Krone in 2021, who will attempt to defend her crown, The Coolmore Classic has often gone to a contestant at any old price recently, and we’re faced with another terrific betting race this week.
You can find my complete 2022 Coolmore Classic Tips below.
Suggested Bets
- 3 Units E/W #4 Lighthouse
- Boxed Trifecta of the selections below
Coolmore Classic – Winner – No. 4 Lighthouse
Lighthouse hasn’t returned a poor effort since arriving in Australia, and I think that the Coolmore Classic is the perfect Group 1 target for her.
The American import won each of her first four starts when touching down in Australia, including the Chester Manifold, and she has since finished second in each of her last three starts, all at Group 1 level.
She was excellent on the heavy going behind Forbidden Love in the Canterbury Stakes last week, and I like that she is on the short back-up.
Coolmore Classic – 2nd – No. 15 Espiona
She has enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence, and classy three-year-old Espiona has opened our favourite in 2022 Coolmore Classic betting ($5.50 at publish).
She stormed onto the scene in spring via two dominant wins, the latter one of the standout performances of Cup Week, and she returned a nice effort to finish a close second behind Fangirl in the Light Fingers when resuming last month.
She steps out this week third-up and following another credible run for third in the Surround Stakes, and she gets into this contest extremely well given her age.
Coolmore Classic – 3rd – No. 3 Vangelic
Had she drawn well, I actually would have had Vangelic on top of my Coolmore Classic selections, but I’m just a little worried that she might have a little too much to do from barrier 17.
She has been a great horse for the Waterhouse & Bott yard throughout her career, and she was unlucky not to claim a Group 1 title during her three-year-old season.
She returned to the races this time with a nice effort for third, beaten more three lengths by Forbidden Love in the Guy Walter Stakes a fortnight ago, and that form has of course been franked.
I still wouldn’t be surprised to see her winning this race, particularly under Timmy Clark!
Coolmore Classic – 4th – No. 16 Fangirl
I probably can’t have Espiona without Fangirl, so I’m also throwing in this Chris Waller-trained filly.
Like her stablemate, Fangirl was great during her spring prep and recorded three-consecutive wins, highlighted by a couple at black type level.
Her first-up win in the Light Fingers was excellent and things didn’t all go her way in the Surround Stakes, but she still managed to finish fifth.
Fitter third-up, she can return another bold performance.