The Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) takes precedence at Rosehill on Saturday, featuring a star-studded field of 18 fillies and mares set to line up in the $1 million feature.
The Chris Waller yard has produced a strong hand for the race with four acceptors, including the quality four-year-old mare ZOUGOTCHA, who is looking to build on an impressive first-up victory in the Group 2 Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) on February 24. She won impressively over subsequent G1 Canterbury Stakes winner, LADY LAGUNA, bringing her record to six wins from 13 starts.
However, as the race favourite with 57kgs to shoulder, ZOUGOTCHA does have to defy history, as only three winners in the history of the race have carried more weight to win – Emancipation (60kg), Bounding Away (57.5kg), and Sunline twice (60kg).
On her side is a low draw as well as James McDonald remaining in the saddle. Waller’s pair of VIENNA PRINCESS and HINGED are both solid in the market and appear well-weighted at 55.5kgs and 55kgs, respectively.
Time is money for Tavi
Thriving four-year-old gelding TAVI TIME is on track to secure his fourth consecutive win in Saturday’s $160,000 Benchmark 88 Handicap over 1400m at Rosehill, Australia.
TAVI TIME will have one more run at Rosehill before attempting to deliver trainer Kris Lees a sixth win in the Provincial-Midway Championship Final, set to take place on April 13.
The Newcastle trainer has dominated the feature since its inception in 2015, capturing the past three in succession, including producing the quinella last year when Spangler defeated stablemate Loch Eagle.
Tavi Time is a $2.8 favourite in pre-nomination markets for this year’s Final, having already secured his place in the field with a devastating four-length victory in the recent Qualifier at Newcastle last start.
It was the gelding’s sixth win from nine starts since he made his race track debut in July 2022.
