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The greatest two minutes in sport: The Cox Plate

Roar Rookie
17th October, 2022
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Roar Rookie
17th October, 2022
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As we dust ourselves off from the Caulfield Cup and the Everest, we move on to the greatest two minutes in sport on the planet, the weight-for-age championships of Australasia, The WS Cox Plate.

But before we move on to the Plate, I need to get my head around Saturday’s feature event.

In the Everest, Nature Strip was tremendously brave on speed after working from the wide alley. One of my fears pre-race was that Nature Strip was going to use too much petrol and feel the pinch late. In saying that, he looked the winner at the 200m, the 100m, the 50m, but they got him late.

Undefeated three-year-old Giga Kick brilliantly swooped over Private Eye and Mazu in the shadows. The turn of foot was electric and that finish could be a symbolic changing of the guard.

It was an outstanding training performance from Clayton Douglas, who has only been in the training ranks for 18 months. Take a bow.

And Craig Williams is now the first jockey to complete the ‘Golden Grand Slam’ of the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate, Golden Slipper and Everest. What a performance.

The Caulfield Cup wasn’t a classic edition of the feature, but it produced a classic finish. Newcastle and Wyong Cup winner Durston sprouted wings late and picked up Gold Trip right on the wire.

Knights Order was brave in third position and there were some very nice ‘Cup runs’ that I will be watching time and again over the next week.

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Chris Waller opened his trophy cabinet again, which is somewhat of a formality for this time of year. Montefilia and Duais looked poised next start, however I don’t think the Melbourne Cup winner raced Saturday.

So You Think, Kingstown Town, Makybe Diva, and fou-time champion Winx are just a handful of names synonymous with the Cox Plate.

Why is it the greatest two minutes of sport? Its uniqueness.

The amphitheatre
The Moonee Valley facility creates a music-bowl-like experience, where the atmosphere is loud, electric and passionate. 25,000 sound like 100,000 and they are usually made up of keen punters and horse racing fans. When they jump at the top of the straight, there is nowhere else in the world that a sport fan should be.

Weight-for-age conditions
WFA conditions are not unique, but there aren’t many WFA features in the world that are over 100 years old, targeted by international owners and trainers (the last three winners have been internationals), with the prize money reaching $5 million.

Legacy and significance
The champions and the legends of yesteryear usually have the Cox Plate on their resume. From a breeding and legacy point a view, the Cox Plate is one of, if not the most crucial and targeted race. Most of our best have won, or tried, to win this race.

I can’t wait to be there on Saturday.

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