Politeness progressing nicely towards Coolmore Classic

High class mare Politeness is progressing nicely towards her Autumn Carnival target, the Group 1 $600,000 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill on March 14, and is set to return to the racetrack following an impressive jump out at Sandown on Tuesday.

Politeness is progressing nicely towards her main Autumn Carnival target, the Group 1 Coolmore Classic at Rosehill. Photo by Sarah Ebbett.

Politeness is progressing nicely towards her main Autumn Carnival target, the Group 1 Coolmore Classic at Rosehill. Photo by Sarah Ebbett.

Caulfield trainer Robert Smerdon was delighted with Politeness’ second to stablemate Shamal Wind in an 800m jump out and said she would be right to kick off her Autumn Carnival campaign in the  Group 3 $150,000 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 14.

“Politeness jumped on the speed and we were going to sit her off the pace but she landed there and Casey Bruce sat on her all the way,” Smerdon told racing.com.

“She had a nice hit-out without doing too much and she’ll resume on February 14 in the Group 3 (Geoffrey) Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) against the mares.

“They don’t have much of a break after the Spring so she’s maintained a lot of her residual fitness and is in great condition, I’m really happy with her and her main aim is the Coolmore Stakes in Sydney.”

Politeness was tested at Group 1 level during last year’s Melbourne Spring Carnival when beaten just under two lengths when seventh to Bonaria in a blanket finish to the $500,000 Myer Classic (1600m) at Flemington on November 1.

The Street Sense mare settled in the second half of the field that day before making up many lengths in the straight and then also came from well back when she scored a two lengths victory at her next start in the Group 3 $150,000 Le Pine Funerals Summoned Stakes (1500m) at Sandown on November 15.

And Politeness has shown in the past that she can handle the Sydney way of going with a win during the 2014 Sydney Autumn Carnival in the Group 3 $200,000 The Other Woman P J Bell Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on April 12, the first day of ‘The Championships’.

The form line out the P J Bell Stakes is very strong with runner-up Cosmic Endeavour going on to win four of her next five starts including the Group 1 $500,000 Sky Racing Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm at the end of the Brisbane Winter Carnival in June.

Politeness has been a good money spinner for her connections, collecting over $330,000 in prizemoney from four wins, one second and two thirds from seventeen starts.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.