Ocean Park has won the 2012 Cox Plate, beating All Too Hard in a close duel to the winning post, jockey Glen Boss kicking home the Kiwi galloper to a $1.8 million dollar win.
Nathan Tinkler owned All Too Hard was the leader down the straight and carrying just 49.5kgs in the weight-for-age conditions was every chance, but was chased down bravely by Ocean Park.
The pair went stride for stride for more than 50m as Ocean park continued to rally to the line.
The pair gapped the field with three lengths to Pierro, who finished third to frank the three-year old form throughout the Spring Carnival.
Winning jockey Boss told Channel Nine that the win was one of his finest moments in the sport – despite winning three Melbourne Cups on Makybe Diva – and fired a shot at the knockers of his Kiwi galloper as he basked in the win, “This horse is just a winner. To all the doubters – stick that up your jumper!”
Unbeaten this spring, Ocean Park’s Hong Kong owners were overjoyed with the win, having flown in just for the race.
Ocean Park is trained by New Zealand based Gary Hennessy, who resides in Matamata, and becomes the first horse to string together four Group I victories in the one campaign, culminating in this Cox Plate win.
2012 Cox Plate results
First: Ocean Park
Second: All Too Hard
Third: Pierro
Fourth: Ethiopia
Last: Rekindled Interest
Racetime: 2.04.14
| Placing | Horse | Jockey | Comment |
| 1st | Ocean Park | Glen Boss | It feels like my greatest achievement in this sport so far. I know I’ve done some wonderful things but I’ve been in this colt’s corner the whole time and there’s been doubters but I kept saying he is a winner. He just wants to win, he just wants to beat whatever is in front of him. My horse doesn’t care what time they run, he doesn’t care what’s in front of him, he just wants to beat them and once he gets there he just switches off. The tempo was good but he blew the start for me a touch and I was always going to try to ride him back. I wanted to be the hunter today because when he is the hunted he is probably not as impressive so I thought I would do the staling today. I got on the back of Green Moon but he looked like he wasn’t going to take me anywhere so I got outside him and ripped past him and once he saw the bunny when he straightened up he just let go. |
| 2nd | ALL TOO HARD | Chris Munce | He ran super. The two leaders dropped off quicker than I needed. |
| 3rd | PIERRO | Corey Brown | I think the Caulfield Guineas took the edge right off him, he lost the bridle at the 700, he didn’t ping, but he still kept coming and coming. If he had that edge he finishes right on their backs. He was game in defeat. Gee whiz he feels like a Rolls Royce under you. No wonder Nash (Rawiller) has had so much fun on him. |
| 4th | Ethiopia | Rhys McLeod | He switched off nice (in front) we made sure it was a good gallop from the half mile and he stuck to his guns well. They were just maybe a bit too sharp for him. If he pulls up good in 10 days time I think he’ll be a chance (in the Melbourne Cup). |
| 5th | Shoot Out | Hugh Bowman | Yep, good performance. |
| 6th | Southern Speed | Luke Nolen | I couldn’t go anywhere at the half mile. I was on Bossy’s back but I don’t know if she struggled with the hill here or not but then she closed it off really good. I don’t know where they go now either the (Melbourne) Cup or freshen up into the Mackinnon. |
| 7th | GREEN MOON | Craig Williams | We never had the sweetest run but I was a beaten horse so far out. From the 600 I was pretty much flat. He did hang in the straight so I’d like to see how he cools down to see if there’s any abnormality. |
| 8th | Proisir | Craig Newitt | He went alright. He just got attacked. We did a bit of work around the first turn and as soon as we turned the half mile slide he pulled the bat on Ethiopia and poured the pressure right on. In 12 months time he’ll make the grade. |
| 9th | Sincero | Michael Rodd | He pulled really hard. The blinkers on probably had the wrong affect on him. |
| 10th | Happy Trails | Kerrin McEvoy | We got into a nice spot early then Nash was laying in on me down the side, for the whole race, and once we came out at the 800 we never really got a smooth run. |
| 11th | More Joyous | Nash Rawiller | She never had any luck early. The pressure was right on from the word go and I came back to try and get in but it didn’t happen so it was a bit of a forget run. |
| 12th | Linton | Steven Arnold | I gave him the chance to settle early and he worked into it good around the corner then just whacked away. |
| 13th | Glass Harmonium | James McDonald | He is his own worst enemy. If he gets away I reckon he’s in the finish somewhere because he’s a real fighter. He finished off okay. |
| Last | Rekindled Interest | Dwayne Dunn | We had a great run but he was disappointing. He didn’t want to be here today. |
Ocean Park trivia: The horse is named after “Hoi Yun Gung Yun”, a popular Hong Kong theme park.
ryan
Guest
I reckon it would have been 400m too far for her
ryan
Guest
Whoooooooo, Got the trtifecta. Ocean Park is a great horse. Up there with Northerly and Sunline at WFA.
Bondy.
Guest
That was one of the poorest race meets i've seen from Moonee Valley, grossly desperesed races of a two day period diminishing to the overall quality of "game day" the Saturday, where nine races were conducted four of those races being less than eight runners NTD thats embarrasing and the final race on the nine card programme had on scratching but remaind with eight going around. If you had a bet in every race on Saturday you need the gamblers hotline ,because there wasnt antything there to really bet on. Another raceclub putting financial greed and supposed market exposure ahead of the overall quality of the product and more of them keep doing it its all the trend,destroying the product for supposed commercial gain. A great win by Ocean Park though.
Bob
Guest
Would have been interesting to see how his half sister, Black Caviar would have gone in a Cox Plate. Guess we will never know.
The Shark in Perth
Guest
I don't think Singo actually has the guts to drop Waterhouse as trainer - but I would certainly be dropping her. We will never really know the true reasoning (I don't believe the latest explanation. I don't agree that it was a sound decision Sheek. In this game, for the majors, you don't need totally unpredictable bad decisions made like that from your trainer. Her way ... or the highway no doubt. Singo has blown a real chance .... give her the highway mate. If you won't teach her a lesson ... no one else will. Do it today Singo ... whilst its still a bit news worthy too.
Sh00ter
Roar Pro
ATH is a miler nothing more. Jumped perfectly, switched off, got the perfect run and ran his last 200 in 12.46 with 49.5kg. That is the equivalent of riding the Titanic across the Atlantic when you could be in a learjet. If he runs out the 2040 with all those favours he wins easily. Ocean Park is the best wfa horse in the southern hemisphere. Deserved the win. With luck Maluckyday will win the Melbourne Cup. Going better than 2 years ago proved by the Geelong Cup (10.92 last 200 with 58.5kg), drops to 53.5kg and we know he will stay the trip.
Muelboy
Roar Rookie
I've been on this horse since the start of the spring http://www.theroar.com.au/2012/10/12/ocean-park-dux-of-the-class/ So pleased for Garry Hennesy the polar opposite to Gai Waterhouse, who I love but sometimes you just have to let the horse do the talking for you. Massive run by Ethiopia, hope he comes through the run well, he might be the locals best chance of winning the Melbourne Cup.
Shaun
Guest
The Caulfield Stakes wasn't exactly run to Ocean Park's preference; the pace was ridiculously slow and the field was small, and according to the trainers he'd lost condition between the Underwood and the Caulfield Stakes. He prefers a pressure-cooker race and it was a pleasure to see him burst away and wear All Too Hard down. Hope to see him back in the autumn.
Bob
Guest
Drawing a line through Alcopop- Dunaden's Caulfield Cup win is looking better and better. OP beat Alcopop by 1/2 a length at level weights, Dunaden gave Alcopop 5.5kgs and beat him by the same amount..
Stiven
Guest
Brilliant win by this horse. Followed him all spring and it is a great feat to win 4 group 1s in succession. Kudos to Boss for a great ride as well.
sheek
Roar Guru
Great tipping Alfred. Well, if the relationship between Gai & Singo was frosty before this race, it might have fractured after this. I still think Gai's reasoning was sound, but More Joyous was burnt for speed early & was never allowed to get across to a comfortable position. Rawiller was tactically outplayed by other jockeys. In any case, those who believe More Jpyous can't run the distance are probably right. If Singo wants to 'walk' he'll probably use this race as his 'out', although in reality More Joyous simply wasn't good enough. Great ride by Bossy on Ocean Park. And also by Munce on All Too Hard. He very nearly stole the race.