Competition for victory in the 2018 group one Coolmore Classic at Rosehill today looks as intense as ever with early shoppers finding it difficult to isolate a dominant fancy
Price framers are not having any better luck with the market framed around $6.50 the field which suggests good value if punters can find the winner.
Talented lightly raced mare Raiment already a group three winner comes into the race third up but she took a good step forward this preparation behind Dixie Blossoms last start and adjusted Timeform ratings have her as the top selection.
Having only had a very light Spring, Raiment didn't have a lot of luck first up behind Faraway Town before game in defeat last start in the Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes [1400m], a reliable guide for this race.
Meeting Dixie Blossoms at virtually level weights (0.5kg), Raiment now meets the latter 5kg better off and appears set to peak at her third run back from a spell.
Third up last preparation Raiment returned a career Timeform peak performance when spacing her rivals in the Group 3 J H B Carr Stakes [1400m]. A repeat of that effort here sees her right in the finish.
She is proven to handle all ground, but on recent evidence, she would appreciate the sting out.
The much in-form Michael Walker links aboard for the first time and she is expected to hold her position from the inside draw.
If able to get the breaks, expect Raiment to continue her upward ratings spiral and prove very hard to beat.
Looking for dangers and there are plenty, the Chris Waller trained Egg Tart rates as the most likely.
Egg Tart failed to come up last preparation, however she had clear excuses and was the big flashing light run first up.
Closing off very well behind Crack Me Up, Egg Tart brings different form into this race and is sure to appreciate the step up in trip.
Much like Raiment she would appreciate the sting out and with Kerrin McEvoy, who has had a great association with the mare, sticking aboard she looms as a major threat.
The inside draw may prove tricky, however if able to adopt a more forward position, she should prove hard to hold out late.
Three-year-olds generally have a very good record in the Coolmore Classic however representation is a big light on this year with just group one winner Alizee and Bring Me Roses engaged.
In the last 26 years three-year-olds have provided 31% of the winners while providing just 24% of the participants.
While Alizee will have admirers, adjusted Timeform ratings suggest the Tony McEvoy trained Bring Me Roses has to be included in the main chances.
An eye catcher first up behind Rimraam who confirmed that form in Sydney last start, Bring Me Roses went on to finish third in the Group 1 Australian Guineas, form which leaves her well placed down in the weights.
Although possessing just the sole win to her name, she is a talent and 3YOs possess a good record in the feature.
A value chance down in the weights is the Mick Price-trained Oregon’s Day who comes into the race second up after just going down at Flemington over 1400m when resuming in the group three Frances Tressady Stakes to Flippant whom she meets 5kgs better today.
Also significant is that last time Oregon’s Day came to Sydney she was less than two lengths from Zanbagh and Dixie Blossoms in the Group One Queen Of The Turf Stakes [1600m] on unsuitable soft ground but meets them much better at the weights today.
Oregon’s Day has a terrific record when racing second up and her adjusted Timeform ratings says she is a better chance than her odds suggest.
The Andrew Noblet trained Silent Sedition was an alarming drifter last start, but was gifted the race when given an easy time out in front.
Saluting comfortably, she arrives in Sydney in good form and has placed in four of five attempts racing third up.
She's drawn to get a lovely run and with Craig Williams sticking aboard (placed 9/12) she commands respect, was only narrowly beaten in this race last year.
Enjoy what should be a great race!
