2016 Coolmore Classic Winner Peeping for Clipperton

Young jockey Sam Clipperton celebrated his maiden Group 1 winning ride in the feature race at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday in the Coolmore Classic 2016 aboard the Ron Quinton-trained Peeping.

Peeping saw out the 1500m for the first time at Rosehill Gardens to score an upset 2016 Coolmore Classic win this autumn. Photo: Steve Hart.

It was a fairytale result in the $600,000 Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) for Clipperton to ride the winning four-year-old for the Randwick-based Quinton, a former champion jockey himself, who also won the race in 2012 with Ofcourseican.

“That’s pretty cool, actually, I’m speechless,” Clipperton said post-win.

“Everything just panned out perfectly.”

Redoute’s Choice mare Peeping was third-up for the season off two Group placings, the latest behind Solicit in the Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes (1400m) at fortnight back who she took on again in the elite level.

Not having won a race since the Group 2 Golden Pendant (1400m) last September, Peeping continued her outstanding record at Rosehill posting her fourth win from five starts at her pet track.

It was her first run over further than 1400m, and while there had been queries how she would handle the distance in a field full of proven 1500m – 1600m stars, Peeping more than held her own.

“At the 600m the pace really quickened and she hit a flat spot,” Clipperton said.

“Then the last 50m she was getting a bit tired, but she kept challenging hard.”

The Gerald Ryan-trained Guy Walter Stakes winner Solicit stormed to the lead early from the classy young John O’Shea-trained filly Ghisoni out to retain her undefeated record being ridden quietly in second by Corey Brown.

Vergara travelled third while Pearls was a handy fourth also representing O’Shea and Godolphin.

Peeping and Clipperton meanwhile were just off the front runners in a nice fifth, biding time and waiting for the big finish.

Once around the turn and travelling down the straight, Ghisoni was sticking on but inexperience got the better of the last start Group 2 Surround Stakes winner as she chased home the class older mares.

Solicit was brave as always, but Clipperton who had slotted in mid-race on his mount gave Peeping every chance to run out the distance and she was flying home along with late closer Azkadellia who came off the Caulfield win in the Group 3 Mannerism Stakes (1400m).

On the line Peeping ($16), who saluted at similar odds as last year’s Coolmore Classic winner Plucky Belle ($15), had a half-length to spare over the Ciaron Maher-trained Victorian visitor Azkadellia ($4.20) who jumped favourite as the market mover.

Solicit ($4.40) then held for third for jockey Kerrin McEvoy to round out the winning Coolmore Classic trifecta.

Quinton was very pleased with the Coolmore Classic result, the way his mare stuck it out, and to see Clipperton score his first elite level winning ride for him.

“If you’re going to take on 1500m, Rosehill’s the place to do it,” Quinton said after cheering Peeping home.

“She loves Rosehill and seems to run fantastic here.

“It was a beautiful ride, reminded me of some of mine!

“Very proud, Sam’s first Group 1, that it could be for me.”

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2016 Coolmore Classic Results & Finishing Order

Rosehill Race 7 – 12/03/2016