The Cox Plate is Australia’s premier weight-for-age event, and this year’s field is an absolute cracker.
Last year Shamus Award caused a boilover and this year another long-odds shot could claim victory.
But firstly, how ridiculous is it that prior to this race, 15 races will have been run and won in just under 24 hours?
Surely the Manikato Stakes could’ve been run the race before the Cox Plate and we could’ve avoided the debacle of having two race meetings on the same track over two separate days? It seriously needs to be looked at, especially for the safety of both jockeys and horses.
Without any further ado, here are my top roughies for the Cox Plate.
Wandjina
Wasn’t really pushed into calculations until an eye-catching run in the Caulfield Guineas last start where finishing third. One factor to watch here is how wet the track is as the horse has a good record in the wet.
Sired out of Snitzel, the same as Shamus Award last year, who coincidently also finished third in the Guineas last year before taking out the Cox Plate. Could well be the top boilover chance, especially with Dean Yendall in red-hot form of late.
The Cleaner
Last year the bias led to the front runners and this year could prove little different. This horse has proved tough as nails in lead-up races and has a good record at the track.
Would be one of the more popular wins should the horse get up, the big factor here is whether he is challenged up-front early.
Foreteller
Was disappointing last start in the Caulfield Stakes, but brilliant in the Underwood Stakes following up an eye-catching run second-up behind The Cleaner and Mourinho over 1600m.
Tommy Berry on board is a massive plus.
Side Glance
The last of my rough chances. Ran sixth in the Cox Plate last year and connections have attempted something different this year by running the horse in the Caulfield Stakes coming into this race.
Having the regular jockey on board is another big plus this year, and should improve on the last run of third behind Fawkner and Criterion. Just couldn’t make the ground up in the straight but could be a big chance here.
That’s my two cents’ for roughies in this year’s race. My big tip would be to see if there is any bias forming for runners as the day pans out, then to check the speed maps for the race.
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