Godolphin colourbearer Ghisoni (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}) puts her unbeaten record on the line in the G1 Coolmore Classic at Rosehill. The John O'Shea-trained favourite has drawn stall eight in a field of 13 in her attempt to become the first 3-year-old filly to win the race since 2009. The attractive dark bay has risen through the ranks, winning her maiden over 1200 metres at Warwick Farm Nov. 11 and adding a benchmark 73 handicap at Rosehill Nov. 28. She returned with a comeback win in the G2 Coolmore Surround S. over a half-furlong shorter than Saturday's trip at Randwick Feb. 27. She faces her stiffest task to date, as she encounters some smart older mares.
One such opponent is the 5-year-old Solicit (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}), drawn in gate six and conceding the favourite 13 pounds in the weights. Gerald Ryan's filly showed her well-being at Randwick Feb. 27, winning the G2 Guy Walter S. in which the re-opposing Zanbagh (Aus) (Bernardini), Peeping (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}), Vergara (Aus) (Snippetson {Aus}), Tinto (Aus) (Red Dazzler {Aus}), Slightly Sweet (Aus) (Charge Forward {Aus}) and Amicus (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) all finished behind.
Chris Waller has yet to win the Coolmore Classic and relies on two relative longshots to break the hoodoo Saturday. One is Amicus, a former Group 1 winner and Waller is keen to forgive her last performance. “She was disappointing last start, but she had no luck whatsoever, put a line through that,”said Waller.
The trainer is also upbeat on the chances of his other charge Telepathic (NZ) (Mossman {Aus}) last seen running second to First Seal (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) in the G2 Millie Fox S. at Rosehill Feb. 20. “She is a knockout chance. Her run behind First Seal three weeks ago was fantastic. She should get a lovely run and she should be in the finish,” added Waller.
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