Royal Descent Set to Peak in 2014 Cox Plate

October 21, 2014

Royal Descent Set to Peak in 2014 Cox Plate

Glen Boss may have been in the grandstand and not the saddle of Royal Descent for her breakfast with the best gallop at Moonee Valley Racecourse on Tuesday morning, but from what he saw the mare is ready to peak in Saturday’s Cox Plate 2014.

Royal Descent (inside)

Royal Descent (inside) is in top condition ahead of her Moonee Valley debut in Saturday’s 2014 Cox Plate field. Photo: Steve Hart.

Boss will ride the Chris Waller-trained daughter of Redoute’s Choice in this year’s $3 million Group 1 W.S. Cox Plate (2040m) back at the Valley but this morning it was rival hoop Hugh Bowman who put the five-year-old through her paces.

Bowman was aboard Royal Descent last start when she posted her fourth straight second place finish, this time behind stable mate He’s Your Man in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on October 4.

One of three in the 14-starter Cox Plate field this year for Waller along with George Main Stakes winner Sacred Falls ($6.50) and veteran eight-year-old Forteller ($21), Royal Descent is an $11 chance in the markets at Ladbrokes.com.au.

Those Cox Plate odds are led by Fawkner ($4) who won the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m) on October 11.

Saturday Royal Descent races at Moonee Valley for the first time and has her first Melbourne start since a brave fifth behind the Robert Hickmott-trained Fawkner when defeated under two lengths in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) last October.

It’s been a frustrating season for the mare then as she’s come close to victory on four occasions, and Boss is confident from what he saw in her work today that she can be competitive once again in her first run outside of Sydney this time in.

Royal Descent is drawn in last year’s Cox Plate winning barrier three that produced Shamus Award 12 months ago

“She wasn’t out to break any records and Hughie has had a lot more to do with her than I have so he could give much better feedback to Chris (Waller) and the connections,” Boss told TVN.

“It was just good to sit in the stands and watch her gallop, she looks in terrific order, she looks to be peaking for Saturday to my eye.”

Royal Descent is drawn in barrier three for Saturday, the same gate that produced last year’s Cox Plate winner Shamus Award.

Before him the last Cox Plate champ to jump from gate three was Northerly (2001) for the first of his eventual two wins in Australasia’s weight-for-age championship.

Along with a good gate, having Boss onboard is also statistically an advantage for Waller’s mare as the hoop boasts three Cox Plate wins having ridden Makybe Diva (2005), So You Think (2009) and most recently Ocean Park (2012) to victory in the classic.

While not on Royal Descent in the Cox Plate, Bowman is still in the mix for Saturday partnering the David Payne-trained Criterion in the race.

The Sebring four-year-old is one of three other single figure hopes in Cox Plate betting following Fawkner paying $8.50 to win his third Group 1 trophy.

Runner-up in the Caulfield Stakes last time out Criterion took out the Rosehill Guineas – ATC Derby double as a three-year-old and looks to become the first Derby winner to back up and complete the double with the Cox Plate since Bonecrusher (1986).

To back Royal Descent to win the Cox Plate at the best price make sure you have an account with Ladbrokes.com.au where your $3 Megapick wager on the winners of races two – eight at Moonee Valley on Saturday could win you $3 million!

Racing fields and data are copyright 2011-2021 © Racing Australia Pty Ltd (RA) (and other parties working with it).
Racing materials, including fields, form and results, is subject to copyright which is owned by RA and other parties working with it. Full copyright notice.

Spring Racing

Military Mission Fires in 2023...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field �...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field & Odds Update: Vow And Declare Defends Title

Danny O’Brien’s 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare continues to show a...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbott...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbottom Stakes Field & Betting Markets

Bjron Baker’s The Everest performer Overpass is tipped to return to winning...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 R...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 Race Field & Betting

The Chris Waller-trained Pierro four-year-old Osipenko is firm favourite in...

2023 Railway Stakes Field ...

2023 Railway Stakes Field & Betting Update: Tuvalu Narrow Favourite

The Lindsey Smith-trained top-weight Tuvalu is narrow favourite in the latest...

Horse Racing Today

2024 The Galaxy Results: Zapat...

Golden Slipper Results 2024: L...

Golden Slipper Results 2024: Lady Of Camelot Beats Coleman, Storm Boy Third

Co-trainer Gai Waterhouse extended her record to eight victories in the 2024...

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winne...

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winner Veight Beats Older Rivals

Veight joined an elite list of three-year-olds to beat home the older horses...

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results:...

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results: Riff Rocket Flies Home Late Ahead of ATC Derby

Chris Waller’s VRC Derby winner from the spring, Riff Rocket, now has the...

2024 Ranvet Stakes Results: Vi...

2024 Ranvet Stakes Results: Via Sistina Too Good Debuting for Waller

Yu Long Investments lucrative European purchase, the now Chris Waller-trained...

Race Results

2024 The Galaxy Results: Zapateo Upsets Sunshine In Paris

Golden Slipper Results 2024: Lady Of Camelot Beats Coleman, Storm Boy Third

Imperatriz Defends Title in 2024 William Reid Stakes

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winner Veight Beats Older Rivals

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results: Riff Rocket Flies Home Late Ahead of ATC Derby

Race Previews

UK Raider Post Impressionist Heads Tancred Stakes Field & Odds

2024 Australian Cup Field & Betting Update: Pride Of Jenni v Mr Brightside

Golden Slipper 2024 Tips & Betting Update

The Galaxy 2024 Race Field & Odds: Ozzmosis Leads Betting on Slipper Day Sprint

2024 Rosehill Guineas Field & Betting Update: Riff Rocket Set to Take Off

Fields & Form

UK Raider Post Impressionist Heads Tancred Stakes Field & Odds

2024 Australian Cup Field & Betting Update: Pride Of Jenni v Mr Brightside

Golden Slipper 2024 Tips & Betting Update

The Galaxy 2024 Race Field & Odds: Ozzmosis Leads Betting on Slipper Day Sprint

2024 Rosehill Guineas Field & Betting Update: Riff Rocket Set to Take Off