Co-trainer Gai Waterhouse celebrated her record equaling fifth Coolmore Classic victory with quirky mare Con Te Partiro atoning for her failed first-up run with a nice Group 1 win in the wet at Rosehill Gardens.

Con Te Partiro best handled the Heavy Rosehill track to win the 2020 Coolmore Classic. Photo: Steve Hart.

Waterhouse finally equaled the long-standing training record in the race held by Max Lees posting her fifth success and first in partnership with Adrian Bott in the Group 1 $600,000 Coolmore Classic (1500m).

It was a masterful training effort to get the American-bred Con Te Partiro back in winning form after the six-year-old daughter of Scat Daddy returned to racing this autumn after failing to get into foal after being sent to stud at the end of last year.

First-up Con Te Partiro was ridden aggressively up on the hot pace in the Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on February 29 and faded to finish three lengths back sixth.

Jockey Tim Clark was after atonement retaining the ride in the Coolmore Classic, thrilled to get the result in the elite level to add to the mare’s value as a broodmare when she eventually returns to stud.

“It worked out perfectly, the other day I probably made a mistake, just rode her a bit too aggressively and too close to a hot speed,” Clark said post-win.

“It didn’t look to be much speed today after Sweet Deal got scratched, we just wanted to bang her out and get her comfortable. Just have her where she was happy.”

With lots of rainfall hitting the Rosehill course across the day, the track was at a Heavy (9) for the meeting’s feature and it was the first look at Heavy going for the eventual Coolmore Classic winner.

Clark settled Con Te Partiro about fourth in the run taking the sit in a tightly bunched field led by Invincible Gem.

Once on the straight, Clark made his move and hit the front for a narrow lead at the 300m.

In the final furlong, Con Te Partiro ($21) gave a good kick to charge to the line getting through the mud track for a one and a quarter-length victory over a brave Miss Fabulass ($41) handing trainer Kris Lees another second in the Coolmore Classic quinella.

“Great run. We got back and travelled really well through the ground. Tempo didn’t help but she picked up well to run second,” beaten jockey Kerrin McEvoy said.

In third just a neck further back off a wide run throughout was the Chris Waller-trained Noire ($12), while one-time favourite Sylvia’s Mother did not handle the going at all dropping right back to walk home over 40 lengths off the winner.

Clark enjoyed a perfect run in transit, things panning out perfectly after he got the mare comfortable and Con Te Partiro travelled happily in a great spot before her powerful finish.

It is now onwards to the $1 million Group 1 Coolmore Legacy Stakes (1600m) – formerly the Queen Of The Turf Stakes – at Royal Randwick on April 11, a race Con Te Partiro is now exempt from ballot in.

“She’s had excuses all the way through. I thought we had found another excuse with the rain but she got through it well,” Bott said.

“She was a bit out of her pattern the other day but today worked out perfectly for her. She was able to sit forward enough and let them work around, got into a perfect spot just behind them, worked out well.

“She can be a bit quirky at times, but we have just kept her in her routine and the team that has worked with her have done a fantastic job because she can be high maintenance at time.

“She’s a stakes winner in America, a stakes winner at Royal Ascot and now a Group 1 winner here. So, she is a well-travelled mare and well credentialled.”

Waterhouse has prepared six Queen Of The Turf Stakes winners in the past 20 years with Amanpour (2015) the latest.

Updated Coolmore Legacy Stakes 2020 odds at Ladbrokes.com.au have firmed on Con Te Partiro in from $41 to $26.

She also holds an entry for $3 million Doncaster Mile (1600m) held one week earlier on Day 1 of The Championships and has firmed from $101 to $51 in futures on the classic.

“She will go to the Queen Of The Turf which looks a lovely race for her.  She also has a nomination for the Doncaster so we have plenty of options with her and we will weigh them up after today,” Bott said.

Click here for the latest 2020 Coolmore Legacy Stakes all-in betting markets courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au.

2020 Coolmore Classic Results