The Group 1 Cox Plate has been run for 2014. The 2040m race, worth $3,000,000, is the final big-money race in the lead-up to this year’s Melbourne Cup.
Here’s our runner-by-runner analysis of the race.
Sacred Falls (9) – Began ok but settled back to third last on the rail. Was still a long way back turning and was very disappointing up the straight and crossed the line in 11th place. Maybe heading to the paddock after that run.
Fawkner (4) – Began well and settled in behind the speed, two off the fence with cover. Moved up to third turning and laid down a good run in the straight, just found one better and was beaten by a long head. Was a good run but had the run of the race and just found the winner too good. Second.
Side Glance (7) – Began well and pushed forward to settle on the speed, one off the fence. Was overtaken mid-race and went in behind the speed on the rail, found a gap at the end of the turn and burst through with a good run in the straight to grab fourth on the line.
Happy Trails (2) – Was the slowest out of the barriers but still managed to worked up to fourth last on the rail. Was midfield, four wide turning and took a while to get going in the straight but hit the line pretty well in the end finishing sixth.
Foreteller (1) – Began well and settled midfield on the rail, was still mid-field turning, inside Happy Trails but was blocked for a run, kept fighting hard up the straight looking for a run but it never really came, probably the bad luck story of the race, could of finished closer than fifth.
The Cleaner (14) – Began ok and worked forward from the wide barrier, was trapped four wide for what seemed an eternity and finally pushed forward to lead on the rail. Was still leading at the turn but his run died and was overtaken at around the 100 meter mark and trailed off to finish ninth.
Guest Of Honour (10) – Began well and settled four wide with cover behind the speed outside of Fawkner. Pulled up when approaching the turn and was passed by the entire field, and failed to finish.
Criterion (6) – was slow to begin and settled near the rear outside of Happy Trails. Was first to make a move before the bend and moved up to track Adelaide into the race. Was very wide turning and seemed to take a while to get going but hit the line pretty well for seventh.
Silent Achiever (11) – Began ok and settled mid-field, one off the fence outside of Fawkner, was still there turning and laid down a good run in the straight to be just beaten for second by Fawkner. Good run, third.
Royal Descent (3) – Began well and settled mid-field, one off the fence outside of Foreteller. Pulled out really wide turning just inside Adelaide and offered nothing when coming into the straight so Boss stopped riding and he finished 12th.
Adelaide (13) – Was slowish to begin and settled last. Started pushing forward mid-race when all the runner had settled and rounded half the field to sit five deep, mid-field. Was the widest runner turning and laid down a huge run to go past them all at the 100 metre mark and won by a long head. Was a huge run considering nothing went his way. First.
Almalad (8) – Began well and settled on the speed three wide outside of Side Glance. Dropped off before the bend and disappeared to finish second last.
Sweyness (12) – Slowish to begin and settled second last outside of Sacred Falls, still near the back of the field at the turn, still outside Sacred Falls. Made a good run up the straight and finished off nicely for eighth, looks to have a big future.
Wandjina (5) – Began well and pushed forward for the lead on the rail. Was overtaken after not long and ended up settling fourth inside Fawkner. Moved up to be 2nd turning but run died at the 100 meter mark and trailed off to finish 10th.
You can find more from Richard at Party Punter
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