Rosehill Gardens in the Pink as Six-Week Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival Starts

13 March, 2024

Australia’s most coveted race for fillies and mares the Group 1 $1 million Coolmore Classic at Rosehill Gardens begins six Saturdays of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival and a special splash of pink celebration.

Chandon Ladies Day sees seven Group races including two final pathway races to next week’s Group 1 $5 million TAB Golden Slipper as Racing NSW and the Australian Turf bring horses, trainers and jockeys from around Australia and the world to Sydney.

The fifth annual Pink Fashion Lunch on Saturday hosted with new partner the Sydney Breast Cancer Foundation has attracted a record function of almost 700 guests in the Grand Pavilion.

The 52nd running of the Group 1 Coolmore Classic increased to $1 million in prizemoney this year sees 18 of Australia’s best fillies and mares compete over handicap conditions.

Australian Turf Club Chief Executive Matt Galanos said world-class racing joined premium hospitality and affordable general admission packages over six weeks at Rosehill Gardens and Royal Randwick.

“The Group 1 $1 million Coolmore Classic is Australia’s premier race for fillies and mares and begins three weeks of thrilling trackside action at Rosehill Gardens,’’ Mr Galanos said.

“We’re delighted to join this year with the Sydney Breast Cancer Foundation to raise funds and awareness with the ATC Foundation in a sea of pink across the course.

“Across the six weeks of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival patrons can expect it all on the track with $41 million in prizemoney and 18 Group 1 races backed by a vibrant atmosphere and extra entertainment across all racedays.

“Saturday is a thrilling prelude to Australia’s biggest day of Group 1 racing the following week at Rosehill Gardens for the running of the $5 million TAB Golden Slipper.’’

Full fields for the ten races on Saturday are available here and full TAB Fixed Odds markets for all races are here.

Zougotcha with topweight of 57kgs for Sydney racing’s champion trainer and jockey Chris Waller and James McDonald opens a $4.20 TAB favourite in the Group 1 $1 million Coolmore Classic.

Only six horses in the race’s history have carried 57kg or more to win.

Tropical Storm – a dual Group 1 winner including last start in the Group 1 Drinkwise Surround Stakes – is a $6 TAB chance for trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott and jockey Tim Clark.

She would become the first horse since 2006 to take out the Surround/Coolmore double while Tim Clark would win his third Coolmore in just five years and Waterhouse would have a record sixth winner.

Saturday’s meeting sees the running of two final Australian Turf Club qualifying races for the $5 million TAB Golden Slipper – the Group 3 $250,000 TAB Pago Pago Stakes for the colts and geldings and Group 3 $250,000 Cincotta Chemist Magic Night Stakes for fillies.

In the Cincotta Chemist Magic Night Stakes, Eneeza for trainers Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman and jockey James McDonald has been strongly backed early with TAB at $2.80-$2.50.