The first race designated for Fillies and Mares that was given Group 1 status in Australia was the Coolmore Classic (1500m) and it is a brilliant betting contest every year.
Will it be the older mares who take control such as Annavisto ($4.50), Fangirl ($8) or Hope In Your Heart ($8) or do the fillies play a big role like Sunshine In Paris ($11), Sheeza Belter ($26) or Zougotcha ($6)?
There is also the fascination of the overseas entries by William Haggas’ Purplepay ($26) and Joseph O’Brien’s Statement ($26).
Horses chasing Doncaster Mile places will contest the Ajax Stakes (1500m) where My Oberon ($11), Scallopini ($6) and Diamil ($11) are going to be good hopes.
Always a race with notice for the future is the Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) – one which Chris Waller has dominated with his grand girls. A horse called Winx was the first of his six wins within seven years. He has Madame Pommery ($11) and Osipenko ($4.50) as some of his possible runners.
Shelby Sixtysix ($51) chases his second straight Maurice McCarten Stakes (1100m) but he will have stiff competition from some heading up from Melbourne out of the Maher/Eustace yard like Generation ($8) and Marine One ($8).
Potential Sydney Cup or even Tancred Stakes horses will take on the Sky High Stakes (2000m) with the in form King Frankel ($4.50) sure to start well in the market. Again William Haggas has some firepower here with Protagonist ($11) making a lot of interest.
Then the last of the Sydney direct entry Slipper trials will be run with the Pago Pago Stakes (1200m) for the Colts & Geldings and the Magic Night Stakes (1200m) for the Fillies to be run.
Introducing ($3.50) will attempt to keep the Tulloch Lodge roll going with their babies and the Waller yard hopes to add Shinzo ($6) to a possible attack on the feature juvenile G1s.
The fillies race looks to have a bit more power in it with Blanc De Blanc ($4.50), Exploring ($11) and Steel City ($3.50) chasing a change in fortune. Tu Qui Santuzza ($8) will add some spice from the midweeks.