Omei to put the sword to Coolmore rivals

Bookmakers are echoing trainer Chris Waller’s opinion of Omei Sword with the filly the favourite in opening markets for the Coolmore Classic at Rosehill.

Omei Sword was posted at $3 on Monday after 25 entries were taken for Saturday’s Group One race for fillies and mares over 1500 metres.

The filly made a belated start to her campaign after suffering some muscle issues which kept her at home when the Light Fingers stakes was run and won by dual Group One winner Global Glamour from the Waller-trained Foxplay.

Omei Sword got back to the races two weeks later on February 25 to run an eye-catching second to New Zealand visitor La Bella Diosa with Global Glamoiur third.

“Omei Sword didn’t miss any work and I was pleased with her return,” Waller said.

“French Emotion will also run in the Coolmore as will Shillelagh.”

First Seal’s first start for the year was also delayed with the mare a race day scratching from the Guy Walter Stakes at the February 25 meeting because of the heavy track.

The race was won by Dixie Blossoms from First Seal’s stablemate Zanbagh who is also entered for the Coolmore.

“First Seal just can’t get through the heavy ground,” Thompson said.

Rosehill was rated a heavy 9 on Monday with the rain that has hung around Sydney expected to clear by Wednesday.

Waller has five of the 11 nominations for the Group Two Sky High Stakes (2000m) headed by ruling Sydney Cup favourite Antonio Guiseppe ar $2.,30.

Runner-up in the Group One Metropolitan in the spring, Antonion Giuseppe won a 1500m-race at Rosehill on February 18 , beating Gold Symphony who won Sunday’s Listed National Sprint in Canberra.

Waller’s other Sky High entries are Grand Marshal, LIbran, Preferment and Who Shot Thebarman.

There are 24 fillies and 20 colts and geldings entered for the Magic Night and Pago Pago Stakes respectively.

The races will be the final chances for guaranteed qualification to the winners for the Golden Slipper a week later.

Ducimus, the winner of his two starts, is the favourite for the Pago Pago for Hawkes Racing while debut winner, the Tim Martin-trained Limbo Soul, heads the Magic Night market.