The 34th running of the $600,000, Group I, Coolmore Classic (1500m) was fittingly won by a filly, Regal Cheer, sired by a sire son of the great, late Coolmore sire Danehill.

The Arena filly won the race after a good ride by Michael Rodd, a welcome addition to the Sydney riding when he rides outside his Brisbane base, and in doing so she beat off determined challenges from a class field of fillies and mares.

The New Zealand mare Breezy (NZ) and Jay Ford took up the running and made sure that the pace was going to be genuine. Regal Cheer and Rodd were always in close attendance, and in a much better position than both Mnemosyne and Darren Beadman who took up the running third last after leaving from the wide barrier of 15, and Aqua D’Amore and Danny Nikolic who were last after a slow beginning.

Once into the main straight Ford was still in command on Breezy and the Pins mare was looking good until the 200m when Rodd sprinted Regal Cheer. They immediately went clear.

 

Regal Cheer and Michael Rodd pass Breezy, picture Sportpix,sportpix.com.au.

Back in the field Beadman had taken the rails route home saving ground and the Encosta de Lago filly was flying, but it was too late. In contrary fashion Nikolic had gone to the extreme outside with his Danehill mare and they too were coming very well, but again too late. Michael Walker on the Queensland mare Star Shiraz did make good ground, but they could only get to within a half-neck of Regal Cheer.

Mnemosyne was third, the margin a long neck, Breezy hung on well for fourth, Johan’s Toy was fifth and Aqua D’Amore sixth. The time was 1.30.25, the final 600m in 35.47 on a the slow 6 track. Regal Cheer paid $9.40.

Michael Rodd salutes the crowd as he returns to the mounting yard on Regal Cheer after winning the 2006 Coolmore Classic, picture Sportpix, sportpix.com.au.

“I could not be happier,” said Regal Cheer’s trainer Joesph Pride.

“She is really one of the best three-year-old fillies and I knew she would handle the wet.

“At the start it was a dream, but I always had this race pencilled in. But I thought that if we won the Surround Stakes we would be doing really well, this is such a bonus.

“She is a small, compact filly, very professional and she is kind for a good filly which can be unusual as it is no secret that good mares can be cantankerous,” he said.

Second placed Star Shiraz will go to the $400,000, Group I, Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1500m) said trainer Rex Lipp from Toowoomba.

“It was no surprise to me that she race well. She over raced in her last race,” said Lipp referring to the Millie Fox Stakes.

“She has been with Kris Lees at Newcastle and he has done a great job with her and settled her right down. She is a good honest mare,” he added.

Gai Waterhouse was pleased with Aqua D’Amore’s run as it was a return to form for the mare after two disappointing runs in Melbourne. Waterhouse said she would wait and see how the mare came through the race before deciding on her next move.

 

Regal Cheer, picture Sportpix, sportpix.com.au.

Arena is shaping a good career at stud at Lomar Park Stud and his progeny are regular performers on metropolitan tracks. Regal Cheer is out of the Archregent mare Regal Chamber, and she is owned by Mr and Mrs GFW Stack.

The filly has been remarkably consistent this campaign winning first up on February 4th. As second in the Group II Light Fingers Stakes followed, then a third in the Group III Millie Fox Stakes, with the Group II Surround Stakes win next.

Overall her record is 15 starts for six wins and four places, stakes are $709,380.

A record crowd of 17,654 watched the race, up from 16,200 last year, and the best in at least 10 years for Coolmore Classic race day, Ladies Day at Rosehill. They had been treated to fine racing not just in the Coolmore Classic, but throughout the days programme.

By Rob Burnet