It is the greatest two minutes in Australian Sport. Read on for our Cox Plate Preview!
The rail will be in the True position for both the Manikato meeting Friday and Cox Plate on Saturday.
Expecting that throughout the day on Saturday they start to get off the rail a bit. Mid to wide draws over the shorter distances should be a small advantage in the afternoon.
Going in with an open mind generally speaking though, will make adjustments to prices where needed on the day.
2017 Cox Plate Betting Odds
Odds grid for the Cox Plate above courtesy of Punters.com.au
Winx it is all about WINX. She is a super freak and this is her race to lose. Three straight Cox Plate’s will see her stake a legitimate claim to be the Greatest Australian Race Horse Of All Time.
The rest of the market is inconsequential in terms of the win market but we will take a look into who will fill the placings below.
We will also just quickly mention how much a shame it is that Hardham is in the field.
2017 Cox Plate Speed Map
Bit of a sticky map! On paper, it is hard to envisage this being run at anything above benchmark with lots of midfield and off pace horses engaged.
Gailo Chop looks a moral to settle in the first few, proven at 2000m, is fit and should run well.
Folkswood looks a B grade horse but this field is poor, maps pretty well and can perhaps threaten for a place.
Humidor went forward and ran pretty well in a brutal Caulfield Cup. Back to 2000m suits and the blinkers go on. He’s a serious horse but he has issues. Would prefer him with a week off after that Caulfield Cup but he is hard to dismiss.
Happy Clapper faces a sticky map, he risks being stuck out wide unless he jumps very well and could easily be snagged back near last. I’m not convinced he is a 2000m horse and if the tempo is above average he will struggle. Class horse though!
Royal Symphony will likely be ridden cold which is somewhat unusual for a lightweight 3YO in this race. He looks like he will eat up 2040m around the Valley and has a stack of ability after being Dunn’d last start.
Winx maps absolutely perfectly – although it might not matter, anyway she could end up in the 1 x 1 or at worst 2 pairs back and one off the fence.
Related: Best Bets for Manikato Night
Related: Group 1 Manikato Stakes Preview
Key Form Races
Winx was at her dominant best over 2000m at Flemington last start in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes.
Humidor laid in a bit and didn’t race at his best but it was the final run before the Caulfield Cup which was the race he was being set for.
Gailo Chop lead all the way to win the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes over 2000m last start
The 2017 Caulfield Guineas saw Royal Symphony storm home after not getting much luck in the run
and who could forget, Winx destroying her rivals in 2016 around the Valley!
2017 Cox Plate Betting Verdict
The mare would have to miss the start by three or four lengths or sustain an injury to make things interesting here.
She has panels on them and at 2040m seems to go to a whole new level. Loves Moonee Valley too!
Royal Symphony, Gailo Chop and Humidor to fill the exotic combinations around her.
Good punting folks!