2017 Cox Plate over Cup for Hardham

August 22, 2017

2017 Cox Plate over Cup for Hardham

ATC Derby placegetter Hardham will target Group 1 races over 2000m or less including a possible 2017 Ladbrokes Cox Plate tilt this spring, ruling out a Melbourne Cup bid for the progressive four-year-old.

Hardham will be set for the 2017 Ladbrokes Cox Plate. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

Hardham will be set for the 2017 Ladbrokes Cox Plate. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

Mornington trainer David Brideoake has all but confirmed Saturday week’s Group 1 $1 million Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield Racecourse on September 2 as the spring kick off for his Redoute’s Choice stallion.

That will follow a Tuesday morning jump out at Caulfield, his second serious piece of work ahead of his resuming run.

“Hardham has already had one jump out at Pakenham, which he went very well in, and he goes to Caulfield in the morning for another one,” Brideoake told Racing Victoria on Monday afternoon.

“Then he’ll probably kick off in the Memsie.”

All-in Memsie Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au are a wide open affair.

Currently the defending champion Black Heart Bart, who resumed with a P.B. Lawrence third last Saturday, is the equal $6.50 co-favourite with Vega Magic.

Former W.A. galloper, the now Lindsay Park-trained Vega Magic has won his past three starts on the trot including the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) sprint feature in Adelaide and last weekend’s Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) where he defeated Darren Weir’s gun Japanese import Brave Smash.

Brideoake though believes a more mature Hardham has plenty of ability to match it with those top gallopers first-up and beyond this campaign.

“He’s going as well as he’s ever gone. He’s furnished into a beautiful, big horse now and he’s made the improvement from an autumn three-year-old into a spring four-year-old,” Brideoake said.

From there the galloper’s Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival campaign will see him extend only up to a middle-distance range, ruling him out of either the Caulfield Cup or Melbourne Cup 2017.

During the autumn as a three-year-old Hardham showed a genuine ability to stay backing up from a Moonee Valley win in the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) to place under a length back third behind Kiwi young gun Jon Snow in Randwick’s Group 1 ATC Derby (2400m).

With the Derby run on a Heavy (8) track, there were talks that this time in Hardham may be extended back out to a mile and a half or more.

Brideoake however has since expressed his belief that the horse is more effective over 1400m – 2000m, opening up a shot at the Group 1 $3 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) at the Valley on October 28.

“You’d love to see him get to one of those quality Group 1 races at 2000m or less,” Brideoake said.

“I think 2000m is his go but he’s a very clean-winded horse so when he gets racing, he’ll tell us where to go.”

Futures Cox Plate betting at race sponsor Ladbrokes.com.au have Hardham installed as a $101 roughie shot with all markets firmly led by dual defending champion Winx ($1.50).

To check out the full range of Group 1 spring racing odds and options including all-in Cox Plate 2017 betting head to Ladbrokes.com.au today.

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