Market momentum is building for the Chris Waller-trained Lazzura as she prepares for a return to the winner’s circle, with the high-class mare firming into favouritism in the latest 2026 Coolmore Classic betting at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday.
Lazzura sits top of the 2026 Coolmore Classic field and betting markets in Sydney this weekend. Photo: Bradley Photos.
The Group 1 $1 million Coolmore Classic (1500m) remains a pivotal fixture for the fillies and mares, serving as a primary qualifying path with ballot-exempt entries into both the Doncaster Mile and the Queen of the Turf Stakes.
This year’s edition has once again attracted an elite assembly of female gallopers vying for autumn’s top honors.
Following the finalization of the Coolmore Classic field and barriers, Lazzura has emerged as the $4.60 market leader at Ladbrokes.
The Snitzel four-year-old represents a stable with an incredible stranglehold on this event; Waller has secured the last three trophies with Espiona (2023), Zougotcha (2024), and Lady Shenandoah (2025), and is now gunning for a historic fourth consecutive victory.
Despite being asked to carry the equal 58kg topweight, Lazzura appears primed second-up.
She was narrowly denied as a short-priced favourite in the Group 2 Millie Fox Stakes, finishing a brave second to Cinsault.
The step up to 1500m is expected to suit her perfectly, and she boasts a strong second-up record (4:2-0-1).
Her readiness was further signaled in a Randwick trial on March 5, where she finished second to Perfumist.
In a significant boost for her chances, “hoop of the hour” James McDonald takes the ride from barrier eight.
McDonald continues his pursuit of Damien Oliver’s all-time Group 1 record, adding further intrigue to Lazzura’s bid.
While Lady Shenandoah justified favouritism at $2.60 last year, punters should note that favourites have had a mixed record in the race, with only four top choices saluting since 2004.
Occupying the second line of betting at $5 is the Brad Widdup-trained Savvy Hallie.
The Hellbent filly is looking to emulate Lady Shenandoah’s feat from 12 months ago by defeating the older mares.
Navigating from barrier 13 under Nash Rawiller, she enters the race fourth-up.
Her recent form is elite, including a Group 2 Light Fingers win and a heart-wrenching second in the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m).
The 2026 edition remains wide open, with four other contenders currently quoted under double figures.
Among them is the Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman-trained Ole Dancer ($6.50).
The spring’s Thousand Guineas winner has had two solid runs over 1400m this prep and should relish the extra distance.
She finished third in the Surround Stakes last month and retains the services of Zac Lloyd.
Michael Freedman’s Manaal ($8) also looms as a genuine threat.
The Tassort mare is a specialist at Rosehill Gardens (5:2-1-0), having claimed the Sheraco/Golden Pendant double here last season.
She comes into this third-up following back-to-back second-place finishes in the Triscay and Guy Walter Stakes.
Looking to repeat Krone’s 2021 feat of winning the Guy Walter Stakes/Coolmore Classic double is Ciaron Maher’s Verona Rose ($9).
After a powerful second-up win on a rain-affected track, she has drawn ideally in gate four for jockey Craig Williams.
Rounding out the primary chances is the second Freedman runner, Cinsault ($8.50).
The daughter of Brazen Beau is currently on a three-race winning streak and proved she belongs at this level by defeating Lazzura in the Millie Fox Stakes last time out.
The 2026 Coolmore Classic is scheduled as Race 8 at 4:35pm (AEDT) on Saturday’s bumper 10-race program at Rosehill.
2026 Coolmore Classic Field & Barriers
| No | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Barrier | Weight | Age | Sex | Last Starts | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lazzura | James McDonald | Chris Waller | 8 | 58kg | 4 | M | 155×2 | $975,945 |
| 2 | Manaal | Jason Collett | Michael Freedman | 2 | 58kg | 4 | M | 14×22 | $2,158,200 |
| 3 | Vivy Air | Reece Jones | Ciaron Maher | 9 | 57kg | 5 | M | 1218x | $2,914,285 |
| 4 | Verona Rose | Craig Williams | Gary Portelli | 4 | 56kg | 4 | M | 41×31 | $695,745 |
| 5 | Arctic Glamour | Tom Sherry | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | 1 | 55.5kg | 5 | M | 120×3 | $825,250 |
| 6 | Ole Dancer | Zac Lloyd | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | 11 | 55kg | 3 | F | 21×23 | $1,257,100 |
| 7 | Savvy Hallie | Nash Rawiller | Brad Widdup | 13 | 55kg | 3 | F | 3×412 | $974,450 |
| 8 | Cinsault | Tim Clark | Michael Freedman | 5 | 55kg | 4 | M | 14111 | $460,700 |
| 9 | Firestorm | Tyler Schiller | Chris Waller | 12 | 53.5kg | 5 | M | 667×6 | $798,413 |
| 10 | Melody Again | Winona Costin | Scott Singleton | 7 | 53.5kg | 6 | M | 438×3 | $522,950 |
| 11 | You Wahng | Dylan Gibbons | Kris Lees | 14 | 53kg | 4 | M | x0082 | $779,200 |
| 12 | Shohisha | Andrew Adkins | David Payne | 6 | 51kg | 4 | M | 177×4 | $346,725 |
| 13 | Jenni The Fox | Jett Stanley | Ciaron Maher | 10 | 51kg | 4 | M | 40120 | $534,150 |
| 14 | Cilacap | Rachel King | Grahame Begg | 3 | 51kg | 4 | M | 10×76 | $346,110 |
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