The 2015 W.S. Cox Plate will be an intriguing contest. The race has changed in recent times, with a renewed focus being placed on inviting quality internationals over to run in the 2040-metre contest.
The Moonee Valley Racing Club (MVRC) realised that the Cox Plate needed to be revitalised, with a distinct drop in quality of local contenders.
Many of Australia’s or New Zealand’s successful young horses are retired to stud, or sold to race in Hong Kong or Singapore. This affects the depth of future runnings and prevents champions taking each other on year after year, like Sunline and Northerly have in the past.
These falling standards culminated in the triumph of Shamus Award, a high-class colt, but a maiden at the time of running.
The MVRC aim to attract international performers through ballot-free invitations and travel reimbursements and incentives. This strategy has been successful, with five internationals running the past two years. Adelaide’s barnstorming victory vindicated the expedition, with the incomparable Ryan Moore steering him to victory.
But for every high, you receive a horse like Guest of Honour or Mill of Killough, who clearly aren’t up to Cox Plate standard. It’s the MVRC’s prerogative to ensure they get this balance right.
The MVRC have been blessed with a host of A-grade racehorses (albeit without a standout) targeting the Cox Plate. They will face a great dilemma selecting the composition of the race.
Three internationals are guaranteed a place in this year’s Cox Plate field; Arod, Gailo Chop and Highland Reel. While all three are classy racehorses, there is a high likelihood that at least two locally trained Group 1 winners will be balloted out of the race, if there isn’t an attrition rate.
Gailo Chop is a quality stallion who will acquit himself well in the Cox Plate, but the question is whether he has earnt an automatic run in the race as a non-Group 1 winning horse?
If a Group 1 winning horse is resigned to being an emergency, will his inclusion into the race at the expense of others be a major talking point? Will it be justified?
Scuba
Guest
At least Sweynesse, Almalad and Wandjina had run in a group 1 (and all either won or placed at that level). All the whinging in the world from Gelagotis didn't change the fact that Mourinho hadn't taken on a group 1. Different story this year.
kv joef
Roar Guru
also think, MVRC was under the pressure from Greg Carpenter to give Shamus a run. Again, Carpenter was proven correct and his judgement confirmed as an autumn 3 yr-old, Shamus, defeated Criterion in the Aust. Guineas.
andrew
Guest
sort of. atlantic jewel got injured 1 horu before acceptances and thus did not accept for the race which mean shamus award got a run. fenway deserves to get a run, and would make the field any other year. similar profile to pinker pinker. but, she might miss out this year.
Joshua Kayll
Roar Rookie
I kid you not! http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/turf-thoroughbreds/evergreen-happy-trails-set-for-melbourne-cup/story-fnajufri-1227498596221?sv=44cd430777c67ce32bc7098233a5c1d0
kv joef
Roar Guru
really jdk, they are talking about taking Gailo Chop to the Cup ... with that weight ... they'd better take along a respirator as well :) . You really starting to scare me regarding happy trails. if he runs in the Mcup the only happy trail he'll have will be coming out his rear. i know you are winding me uip ... please say you are winding me up.
tim
Guest
I'd suggest telling the horses who are using it as a lead in to the Melbourne Cup should be the ones who miss out, They're not really in it to win.
Nathan Absalom
Roar Guru
If I remember correctly, Shamus Award was a reserve the year he won and got into the field via a scratching. I think it's important to have at least one three year old if possible, they always add intrigue to the race, but I thought Sweynesse, Almalad and Wandjina was a bit much last year when it meant that Mourinho didn't get a run.
Joshua Kayll
Roar Rookie
Arod and Gailo Chop would be excellent finds for the Emirates Stakes. Both horses will find themselves carrying big weights in the race, but won't be too disadvantaged due to the quality handicap conditions. Gailo Chop is entered in the Melbourne Cup. He has 55.5kg, so if he runs in the first three of the Cox Plate (or Mackinnon) he'll pass the ballot conditions for the 3200m contest and be safely in the field. Happy Trails is another on 55.5kg who needs to run a place in either of those races to run in the Cup.
Joshua Kayll
Roar Rookie
If Press Statement runs a place in the Caulfield Guineas (already being a G1 winner) I think he'll safely make the field. The Cleaner is exempt from ballot due to winning the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes.
bill
Guest
I hope Criterion isn't a year too old. couple of good horses in that.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Press Statement can elevate if he wins the Guineas I suppose, which might put The Cleaner in doubt!
theJudge
Guest
So likely field will be: 1. Arod 2. Kermadec 3. Winx 4. Fawkner 5. Contributer 6. Hartnell 7. Criterion 8. Preferment 9. Highland Reel 10. Galio Chop 11. Happy Trails 12. Pornichet 13. Mourinho 14. The Cleaner Emergencies: Complancent / Dibanyi / Noble Protector / Fenway / Press Statement
kv joef
Roar Guru
Really good stuff jdk. And i agree with your comments about Gailo Chop even though when dropped back to a G3 last start he won by himself over 1800m. I wonder if Jordan could convince the connections of Arod or Gailo Chop to stay for the Emirates as they both have top-class close-up form against Europe's champion miler, Solow (10 wins from 11 ) with the same rating as Treve at 124. This would certainly bring life to that race. And maybe convince/beg Coolmore for Highland Reel to stay for the Queen Elizabeth or Sandown Classic.
Joshua Kayll
Roar Rookie
I don't mind internationals as long as they are adding to the quality of the race. I believe Cox Plate invitee's should at least have a G1 win at the time of writing, unless there is a 'Buffering' type middle distance performer who has placed at G1 level on many occasions previously. Arod is a horse who I think satisfies that criteria. Highland Reel will be a fantastic addition; he was only beaten 3 lengths behind the Arc winner Golden Horn in the Irish Champion Stakes. Fingers crossed the toothless man from Blackpool has a bet on our great race!
pat malone
Guest
i love it when the cox plate is full of internationals and its impossible to line up the form and make a selection. but if it gets some tootless guy in a betting shop in Blackpool, England interested in australian racing i am all for it