3 minute read

The Race History of the 2018 Coolmore Classic at Rosehill on Saturday outlines a great mares race.

Last year’s race won by Heavens Above turned out to be a top form race. The 2018 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday looks to be another.

2018 COOLMORE CLASSIC - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

The Coolmore Classic is Group 1 race for fillies and mares conducted by the Australian Turf Club at Rosehill.

The Coolmore Classic is run over 1500m at Rosehill and was introduced in 1973. It is run under Handicap conditions with a Minimum topweight at acceptance time of 57kg. The first running was taken out by Miss Personality.

It has been run at Rosehill each year under various names but has been the Coolmore Classic for some time. The Registered name is the TAD Kennedy Stakes.

The Coolmore Classic was the first G1 for the F&M in Australia and remained the only one until over a couple of years the Myer Classic, Sangster Stakes, Tatts Tiara and Queen Of The Turf Stakes were added.

The 3yo fillies have held their own winning 8 of the last 24. Of the older mares in recent seasons, only Sunline has won post her 5yo year before Alverta, Steps In Time and Plucky Belle.

An absolute blow out for the favourites. Apart from the great Sunline, there’s barely a primary elect in sight.

Gai Waterhouse has won this race four times and needs one to emulate Max Lees five winners (Shindig/Chlorophyll/Flitter/Quicksilver Cindy/Satin Sand).

Previous winners of the Coolmore Classic include Emancipation (1984), Bounding Away (1987), Skating (1993), Assertive Lass (1997), Shamekha (2004), Tuesday Joy (2007), Typhoon Tracy (2009), Appearance (2013) and Steps In Time (2014).

In 2018 the Coolmore Classic is worth $600,000.

In 2016, Coolmore Classic winner Peeping gave Sam Clipperton a big thrill winning for Ron Quinton but the mare sadly died suddenly a few weeks later suffering a colic attack.

The 2017 Coolmore Classic was won by Heavens Above from Silent Sedition and Danish Twist.