The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Past the Post: Cox Plate Day wrap

Moonee Valley racing. (AAP Image/Julian Smith)
Roar Guru
22nd October, 2016
2

The clash between Hartnell and Winx in the Cox Plate was dubbed as the ‘Race Of The Century’, and for a few strides that looked the case. But the greats step up to another level, and the mare did that, etching her name into greatness and building a case to suggest she could well be the greatest horse we have ever seen.

All the wash-up from the Cox plate:
» Who won, who lost
» Five talking points
» Watch the replay

Cox Plates aren’t won like that. Not in the modern era anyway. She had that race won 600m out and Hugh Bowman had barely touched her. It was a complete spank job. I was hesitant about backing her because I did have question marks about her running 2000m, a proper 2000m. But I am left with egg on my face, and really, if she turns up fit and healthy, the 2017 Cox Plate is hers to lose and the $4 price for her to do that, right now, is value.

Hartnell was enormous in defeat. He did the right thing McDonald, sitting in front of Winx. That was the only way he could win, so for mine he lost no admirers and that will toughen him right up for the Melbourne Cup. Provided he recovers, he’s the one to beat on the first Tuesday in November.

And wow, Yankee Rose. Not many horses make up ground on Winx, but she did and for a three-year-old filly taking on one of the all time greats – how far in the Oaks? And Vadamos. He was cooked 600m out and looked as if he was going to run a distant last, but he kicked on for fourth.

The United States looked clearly the best horse in the Crystal Mile (1600m) and that is how it panned out, with McEvoy riding the horse with a touch of arrogance, and he won accordingly, sitting back in the run before McEvoy shoved into the clear 800m out and pushed up to be alongside the leaders before the turn – and from there, it was painless if you were on.

He proved too good for Lidari, who was much better when ridden on speed and dictating. Stablemate Ulmann ran third and was a shade unlucky not to finish closer. Federal ran fourth and he didn’t run the mile out. As for He Or She, I’m not sure where he is at. Did he not handle the give in the track? Or is the spelling paddock in order?

Chris Waller had an awful day at the Valley prior to the Moonee Valley Cup (2500m) where he had the well fancied Who Shot Thebarman, along with Grand Marshal, and as it turned out, that pair drew right away to fight the race out, with Grand Marshal getting the verdict after some really good support at odds. He outgunned the more fancied stablemate, who could not have been ridden any better from Bowman. Just not sure if the horse has the desire to win, because it really was no betting on the turn. Pentathlon, who sat last in the run, closed off okay for a third, albeit another postcode away. He is on track for a race like the Sandown Cup.

Advertisement

This race produced the Melbourne Cup winner last year, but I very much doubt we saw the Cup winner here. They are a bunch of old stagers whose best years are well and truly behind them.

The talking point from earlier in the day was the tactics used by Bowman aboard Lady Le Fay in the mares race over the mile. The mare was the best backed runner for the entire program, firming from around $2.70 to even money before a slight drift leading in. The ride was just odd. The previous four winners had come away from the inside yet Bowman elected to hug the rail, and if you backed her, your ticket was confetti.

The interesting part was the Stewards – they didn’t question the tactics, they questioned why he stopped riding over the final 20m. I’ll leave that there.

close