Odds-on favourite First Seal ran a gallant race in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill this afternoon but was ultimately beaten by Peter Moody’s Plucky Belle.

Plucky Belle (inside) wins Group 1 Coolmore Classic at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.

Mahara missed the start and Thump was the best out the gates with Tarloshan taking the early lead followed by Thump, Amicus, and Adrift.

Coming round the home turn, First Seal was a widest runner but started to make up ground, rocketing up the field and hitting the lead. The race could have all been over there but Plucky Belle, Diamond Drille, and Amicus all met her on the line.

It was all over the place with all three placings going to a photo finish. Ultimately Plucky Belle’s weight and barrier draw advantage helped her win over the favourite with Diamond Drille a further away in third.

First Seal had to do a stack of work and jockey Blake Shinn had to do plenty early, jumping from barrier 11 with 55.5kg while Plucky Belle jumped from barrier eight and had a two and a half kilo swing.

“What a thrill, she really deserves it,” Moody’s stable representative Clare Cunningham said.

“We’re absolutely stoked to have her and great ride by Linda. What a tough effort; she pushed through a gap and she just kept on fighting, that’s just what she’s like. She deserves this.

“It’s just good to get it. She (Meech) deserves it more than anyone.”

Linda Meech delivered the 2015 Coolmore Classic winning ride, earning her first Group One victory.

“It’s a bit surreal – I thought I got beaten!” Meech said.

“I thought she’d run a gallant race and she went everywhere I wanted her to go.

“Took every gap and when I really asked her to quicken she pinned her little ears back.

“I’m still waiting to see the number in the right spot, it’s one of those things I don’t think will sink in for a while.

“He (Moody) said it was about time I rode a Group 1 winner, he was having a little joke this morning. He has so much faith in me that he’d put me on a Group 1 winner here.”

Punters who backed Plucky Belle to win the Coolmore Classic at Ladbrokes.com.au enjoyed a very lucrative payout with odds of $16.

The six-year-old mare is nominated for both the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) and Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) during The Championships on the first two weekends in April.

2015 Coolmore Classic Race Results & Finishing Order