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.
ray
Guest
If Criterian runs up to the Cstakes run but at the 120 Saturday, then blows the field away. He right now, is possibly the horse capaple. 4yo with potential big upside.
kv joef
Roar Guru
i remember you liking him in the Spring Stks and you thought he had a bit of longer term potential.
DJW
Guest
Distance too long for Foreteller?
Bondy
Guest
kv Of the 3 yr old's I prefer Swaynese they cut at one another "the two in commission" in the Spr Champ Stks glorifying Hampton Courts win ...
Bondy
Guest
I'd be leaning towards the Internationals more than the local boil over their current form is overlooked ..
kv joef
Roar Guru
Good picks brent, Foreteller ran 4th last year after a similar (margin) performance in the CaulStks. Many thought last year Side Glance was a little underdone going into last year's Cox coming out a week later and dominating the Mackinnon. Agree Spencer is a real bonus. i'm curious when he'll attack The Cleaner? Anyway SGlance stays in the exotics. I can understand your bullishness about Wandjina but i'm not sure about the 3yr-olds :) . Will Gai offer Almalad as the sacrificial lamb to make sure SArnold can't control the race on The Cleaner? So many questions, so little time. Believe Godolphin are v.happy with Sweynesse and expect a much stronger performance than in the ChampS = would have to from barrier 12. Chad won it last year in front ... and apparently now he will swoop. i've watched the Champ Stks a few times and when he worked to them on top of the rise he was going to win and then went flat ... might not have got the trip BUT may have been a little underdone if they were thinking about this race after-all they ran 2.01+s. Pretty slick 2000m for babies.