Lady Shanandoah and Lady Of Camelot rematch unlikely in Group 1 Coolmore Classic

Lady Of Camelot has a great chance of emulating a unique feat set nearly 40 years ago with Lady Shanandoah no certainty to tackle the Group 1 Coolmore Classic.

Lady Shenandoah (right) and Lady Of Camelot fighting it out in the Surround Stakes earlier this month. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Lady Of Camelot is trying to emulate a unique feat set nearly 40 years ago by champion Bounding Away in the Group 1 $1m Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

But early race favourite Lady Shenandoah is not a certain starter in the feature fillies and mares race despite beating Lady Of Camelot in the Light Fingers Stakes and Surround Stakes in recent weeks.

Trainer Chris Waller has admitted he is “not a big fan” of running three-year-old fillies in the Coolmore and might keep Lady Shenandoah for the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes instead.

• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

Lady Shenandoah was among 17 entries for the feature race restricted to fillies and mares with Waller also nominated Firestorm, Lazzura, Olentia and Scarlet Oak.

With the entry deadline extended to 11am on Tuesday, weights won’t be released until later in the day.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Lady Of Camelot will be given her chance to record her first win since the Golden Slipper last year when she takes on the older mares in the Coolmore Classic.

“Lady Of Camelot has come through her run in the Surround Stakes really well,’’ said Bott of his filly who ran a short-neck second to Lady Shenandoah last start.

Another great battle between Lady Shenandoah and Lady Of Camelot in the G1 Surround Stakes with Flight Stakes winner Lady Shenandoah reigning supreme! 🙌@cwallerracing | @mcacajamez | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/WigDwJVVsJ

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 1, 2025

“She is just one of those honest fillies who shows up every time and there was a lot to like about her run in the Surround.

“I thought she was very brave and ran out the 1400m very strongly. She will take her place in the Coolmore, it looks a lovely race for her.”

• Haggas raider ‘up in the air’ for Tancred Stakes

Lady Of Camelot is at $6 in early TAB betting for the Coolmore Classic behind Lady Of Shenandoah and top mare Amelia’s Jewel at $3.50 equal favourites.

If Lady Of Camelot can win Saturday’s big race, she will become only the second horse to win the Golden Slipper-Coolmore Classic.

Bounding Away, who was trained by Waterhouse’s father, Tommy Smith, won both races in 1986-87.

Champion jockey James McDonald, who rode Amelia’s Jewel to win the Guy Walter Stakes first-up, will partner Lady Shenandoah in either the Coolmore Classic or the Phar Lap Stakes.

Trainers Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald have secured Josh Parr to ride Amelia’s Jewel in the Coolmore Classic.

Originally published as Lady Shanandoah and Lady Of Camelot rematch unlikely in Group 1 Coolmore Classic