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The world-class Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival officially launches in colourful style at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday for Chandon Ladies Day, featuring the running of the prestigious Group 1 $600,000 Coolmore Classic.

Day 1 of the six-week $37 million racing and entertainment spectacular is also Sydney’s annual “pink” raceday featuring a sold-out Pink Fashion Lunch run in support of the McGrath Foundation in the spacious Rosehill Gardens Grand Pavilion.

A field of 17 of Australia’s best fillies and mares line up in the Group 1 $600,000 Coolmore Classic on a bumper racing card which includes two final qualifying races for the iconic Group 1 $5 million Longines Golden Slipper on 19 March.

Australian Turf Club Chief Executive, Jamie Barkley said Saturday’s launch was a chance to enjoy world-class racing and hospitality while also raising funds for the McGrath Foundation and supporting those battling floods across Sydney and NSW.

“We are excited to start the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival this Saturday which is the first carnival in Sydney for two years where people can enjoy a day at the track with no restrictions," Mr Barkley said.

“The annual pink raceday has grown into one of Sydney’s most popular events but importantly raises funds and awareness for breast cancer treatment and research.

“Our thoughts are also very much with those affected by floods and all proceeds of official Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival pins go to the ATC Foundation, which is already preparing to send $50,000 to help communities in northern NSW hit by floods."

Full fields for Saturday’s 10-race card are available here and full TAB Markets for all races here.

In a wide-open TAB Fixed Odds Market in the Coolmore Classic, Lighthouse ($6.50 on TAB) has opened early favourite for trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace and top Sydney jockey Jason Collett.

Four other horses chasing a highly-coveted Group 1 for fillies and mares are close behind at $7 – Expat (Mark Newnham and Tom Sherry), Promise of Success (John O’Shea and Rachel King) and two of 11-time champion Sydney trainer Chris Waller’s star fillies in Fangirl and Espiona.

Defending Coolmore Classic winner Krone is at $15 for trainer Tony Gollan and jockey Chad Schofield as she aims to become just the second multiple winner of the race with NZ and Australian Racing Hall of Fame champion Sunline.

Vangelic ($21) would give in-form Sydney jockey Tim Clark a unique third consecutive victory in the Coolmore Classic. It would also see legendary trainer Gai Waterhouse train a record sixth winner of the race, including a second victory with training partner Adrian Bott.

The final qualifying races for Saturday week’s $5 million Longines Golden Slipper will help to complete the final field for the world’s richest race for two-year-olds.

In the fillies’ Group 3 $175,000 Cellarbrations Magic Night Stakes, She’s Extreme for trainer Anthony Cummings and multiple Golden Slipper winning jockey Tommy Berry is a $2.90-$3 favourite.

Queen Of The Ball trained by defending Longines Golden Slipper trainers Richard and Michael Freedman with jockey Brett Prebble is ($4.60-$4).

The Group 3 $175,000 Bowermans Pago Pago Stakes sees Magic for Hawkes Racing and jockey William Pike open $2.60-$2.50 from Rise Of The Masses ($5.50) for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott and jockey Tim Clark.

Several other Group races feature on Saturday’s card – the Group 2 $200,000 Chandon Phar Lap Stakes, Group 2 $200,000 Hyland Race Colours Ajax Stakes, Group 3 $350,000 Furphy Sky High Stakes and Group 3 $160,000 City Tattersalls Group Maurice McCarten Stakes.

The Rosehill Gardens track was rated a Heavy 10 on Thursday but with weather and rain forecasts improving this week.

For all racing, general and ticketing information including final available hospitality packages for all days of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival go to www.australianturfclub.com.au