Tomorrow the 2009 $3million WS Cox Plate will be held at Moonee Valley and in anticipation of the race we take a look at the entries topping the betting markets to uncover which runner really has the best shot at victory.
WHOBEGOTYOU
Current Odds: $3
Barrier: 10
Weight: 57.5kg
Jockey: Damien Oliver
Trainer: Mark Kavanagh
Breeding: by Street Cry (IRE) from Temple of Peace (JPN)
Age: 4
Prizemoney: $2 104 450
Career: 18-7-7-1
Boasting a perfect record of four from four on the strathayr track at Moonee Valley, Whobegotyou is the clear favourite going into the race tomorrow and has topped the betting markets all spring. There are some concerns about his ability to last the tough 2040m distance as he has appeared a bit weak at the end of some of his races, but he has an experienced hoop for the ride who will ensure the chestnut gelding runs to the best of his ability. Drawing wide with gate 10 means the four-year-old should avoid any early trouble and remain clear from the other runners. He will need a solid pace through the race to ensure he doesn’t get trapped out with the stop-start pace.
HEART OF DREAMS
Current Odds: $5.50
Barrier: 3
Weight: 57.5kg
Jockey: Craig Newitt
Trainer: Mick Price
Breeding: by Show A Heart from Academy Of Dreams
Age: 4
Prizemoney: $979 610
Career: 12-5-2-2
This bay gelding is set to give favourite Whobegotyou a run for his money showing impressive lead up form to the race and drawing ideally in gate three. A proven weight-for-age winner in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) he actually defeated Whobegotyou in the Yalumba Stakes (2000m) in a field much stronger than the one we will see tomorrow.
SO YOU THINK
Current Odds: $11
Barrier: 7
Weight: 49.5kg
Jockey: Glen Boss
Trainer: Bart Cummings
Owner: Dato Tan Chin Nam
Breeding: by High Chaparral (IRE) from Triassic (NZ)
Age: 3
Prizemoney: $225 850
Career: 4-2-1-0
This three-year-old bay colt has been drawing lots of attention lately. Trained by the legendary Bart Cummings, he may be a little under seasoned and lightly raced at this stage to put up too much of a fight against some of the older, more experience horses on the field. To be in with a chance he must hope for a nice run down the middle of the field. But if any trainer can win with a three-year-old its Cummings, he’s done it before with Taj Rossie in 1973. So You Think did run an impressive fifth last start in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas, so his form is right. He is ridden by a past Cox Plate winning jockey too, Glen Boss winning the 2005 race with Makybe Diva.
SPEED GIFTED
Current Odds: $13
Barrier: 12
Weight: 59kg
Jockey: Dwayne Dunn
Trainer: Lee Freedman
Owner: Mr JM Charmat
Breeding: by Montjeu (IRE) from Good Standing (USA)
Age: 6
Prizemoney: $409 500
Career: 12-5-0-2
No one is quite sure what to expect from this bay gelding, which is why the bookies aren’t taking any chances securing him in as equal fourth favourite. The wide draw of barrier 12 which would concern some runners should actually suit his running style as he needs plenty of berth and to be not stuck in the middle. His preparation has gone well and with astute training by Lee Freedman he should be in with a chance. Even though he lacks weight-for-age form, so do most of the field this year, so it shouldn’t be an issue.
ZIPPING
Current Odds: $13
Barrier: 2
Weight: 59kg
Jockey: Steven Arnold
Trainer: John Sadler
Owner: Williams
Breeding: by Danehill (USA) from Social Scene (IRE)
Age: 8
Prizemoney: $2 273 695
Career: 37-12-2-6
Zipping is the right sort of horse for Cox Plate success, coming back from a spell he has a soft draw with barrier two. He ran a solid last start eight in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes, and is a durable stayer that should last the distance tomorrow. He ran second to Maldivian last year after having the same preparation, so let’s see if he can do one better this year.
EL SEGUNDO
Current Odds: $13
Barrier: 13
Weight: 59kg
Jockey: Luke Nolen
Trainer: Colin Little
Breeding: by Pins from Palos Verdes (NZ)
Age: 8
Prizemoney: $3 826 375
Career: 32-12-4-4
The oldest horse on the field, he is also the only previous Cox Plate winner having taken out the 2007 race. See our older posts for more details on this great galloper and his chances for tomorrow.
