Six-pronged Coolmore Classic assault for Waller

Leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller will saddle up half a dozen fillies and mares in Saturday’s Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens.

Despite having won just about every feature event in the country, Waller is yet to taste victory in the Coolmore Classic but has certainly been given his chance with some favourable results at the barrier draw.

Three-year-old filly Hinged took out the Surround Stakes (1400m) on a Heavy 10 at Randwick last start upsetting her more fancied stablemates Espiona and Fangirl who will also line up in Saturday’s feature.

Hinged has drawn an outside gate (12) while Espiona and Fangirl have drawn ideally alongside each other in barriers 4 and 5 respectively.

Polly Grey (barrier 1), Atishu (9) and Kiku (11) round out Waller’s strong hand as he chases the elusive Coolmore Classic crown.

The John Thompson-prepared Le Lude defeated Polly Grey by more than four lengths in the Aspiration Quality (1600m) but will meet that mare 3kg worse at the weights this Saturday.

Mark Newnham has Expat flying having won her last two in a row, and she’s a proven mudlark having won four from five on Heavy tracks.

Tony Gollan’s mare Krone will carry top weight of 58kg from gate 3 and will be aiming to become the first dual winner of the race since Sunlight claimed victories in 2000 and 2002.

2022 Coolmore Classic Field and Barrier Draw