European owner Rich Ricci is considering a 2017 Ladbrokes Cox Plate campaign down under this spring with his failed jumps horse Riven Light.
Riven Light may be set on a campaign to meet Winx (pictured) in the Ladbrokes Cox Plate. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Ricci was at the York Ebor Festival watching his Melbourne Cup hope Thomas Hobson run a failed seventh in the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup Stakes over the two miles.
While a trip down under to target the iconic Group 1 $6.2 million Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) with Thomas Hobson is now unlikely, Ricci hasn’t ruled out a Victorian visit for the fellow William Mullins-trained Riven Light.
“It is up for debate if he goes, we will have to have a think,” Ricci told the English media.
The Raven’s Pass gelding enjoyed a mile win at Galway at the start of the month when saluting for the punters before backing up a week later finishing a credible fifth as the beaten favourite behind Dream Walker over 1400m at the same track.
Ricci said he originally had Riven Light pegged as a jumps horse but had to abandon those plans.
“I kept telling everyone last year he was our best hurdler, but unfortunately he couldn’t jump!” he said.
The owner is also concerned that the horse is a genuine miler and that stretching him out over further for the Group 1 $3 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley on October 28 was a concern.
“He won well over 1600 metres but whether he can do it over 2000 I don’t know,” Ricci admitted.
Any horse lining up in this season’s Cox Plate field is likely running for second as Chris Waller’s dual defending mare Winx will be there to steal the show.
Winx made it 19 straight wins first-up when, after missing the kick, she came from dead last to run down her exciting stablemate Foxplay to take out the Group 2 Warwick Stakes (1400m).
The mighty mare is already at a short $1.50 quote in futures Cox Plate betting at Ladbrokes.com.au, while Riven Light is currently a $101 roughie for the Australasian weight-for-age championship.
Racing fans will get another glimpse of Winx magic when the $13 million earner races second-up on September 2 at Randwick in the Group 2 $250,000 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m).
The next round of entries for the classic are Cox Plate first acceptances closing on September 12.
To check out the latest Cox Plate 2017 odds and betting markets on Winx head to race sponsor Ladbrokes.com.au today.
