Cox Plate Tips - Runner-by-Runner Guide to the Moonee Valley Group 1 feature
- Runner-by-Runner Guide to the Cox Plate
- Who will take out the Caulfield Group 1?
- Gold Trip tops our selections
The best race in Australiasia is the Cox Plate run at Moonee Valley over 2040m at weight-for-age conditions, but who will be crowned 2023 champion?
First run in 1946, the race has been won by some of the world’s best race horses including Rising Fast (1954), Tulloch (1960), Kingston Town (1980,81,82) and Makybe Diva (2005).
As always, the best weight-for-age horses have been assembled and we’ve run through every single runner below with the best odds available at BoomBet.
1. Romantic Warrior (7)
One of the highest-rated horses in the world arrived on our shores from Hong Kong but things didn’t go to plan first up when he finished fourth in the Turnbull Stakes behind Gold Trip.
He’s a multiple Group 1 winner in his own country and that fact is hard to ignore when assessing his first-up run.
James McDonald should be able to settle right in behind the lead from barrier seven and I’m predicting we see the best version of the horse on Saturday.
2. Zaaki (12)
He is now an eight-year-old but Zaaki has been an incredible horse winning fifteen times and over $10 million in prize money.
He finished fourth in the race last year, beaten 1.3 lengths but then came out and won the Group 1 Champions Stakes over 2000m at Flemington to close out his spring campaign.
Eight of his 15 wins have been first or second up and while I don’t think he is a winning chance, I wouldn’t be leaving him out of your multiples.
3. Mr Brightside (2)
Couldn’t have been more impressive winning his first three starts this prep including two at Group 1 level.
He was well beaten as the favourite behind Fangirl at Randwick last start and while his record at The Valley is good, he is unplaced in two starts at 2000m.
4. Alligator Blood (5)
Keep doubting this guy at your own peril!
He has been resoundingly underrated throughout his entire career but keeps proving everyone wrong and his win in the Group 1 Might And Power was possibly his most impressive.
He’s a seven-time Group 1 winner racing in terrific form and he should be able to land on the speed from barrier five.
5. Gold Trip (8)
The 2022 Melbourne Cup winner shocked many with his dominant win in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington when flashing home from last two win by 1.75 lengths.
He meets many including Romantic Warrior 1kg worse of at the weights in this event but I’m not sure that will be enough to turn the tables.
The big weight took its toll last week in the Caulfield Cup but he still found the line well to finish third.
6. My Oberon (4)
The Annabel Neasham-trained My Oberon is going far better than his form suggests on paper, placing for the first time in four runs this prep last start behind Fangirl.
His first run in Australia was a win in the Group 2 Crystal Mile this time last year at The Valley but he may just be behind this level of competition.
7. Pinstriped (11)
Won his way into the race when taking out the Group 2 Feehan Stakes here at The Valley back in September.
Finished less than three lengths off the winner in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap last start at Caulfeild and would need to have a career best rating to be competitive in a field of this quality.
8. Fangirl (9)
Spent a fair chunk of her career placing behind Animoe but since that horse has retired she has got her just rewards.
Won the Group 1 Winx Stakes first up from a spell and produced the best rating of her career when storming away from Mr Brightside in the Group 1 King Charles II last start.
She will need to go back from the tricky gate but Zac Purton is one the best in the world and with some luck, she’ll feature in the finish.
9. Duais (1)
Has placed in her last two outings including a nice second behind Alligator Blood three weeks ago.
She chased hard along the rails in that race and should be plenty fit at this stage in her campaign.
May lack the quality needed to win a race like this.
10. Victoria Road (6)
The lightly raced (northern hemisphere) three-year-old brings some X factor into the 2023 Cox Plate.
The Aiden O’Brien trained horse finished off his last campaign with four wins in a row and he has shown an exceptional turn of foot which will be suited to our conditions.
Will settle in the back half of the field and will need luck In running but the appointment of Blake Shinn is a massive plus.
11. Militarise (3)
The best three-year-old in country proven in the fact that he is already a three-time Group 1 winner including the Golden Rose this prep.
Was well beaten as the favourite against his own age in the Caulfield Guineas last start but was given a near impossible task with the tempo and how far back he was.
Gets the massive weight relief in this contest and has an exceptional turn of foot.
12. King Colorado (10)
Won the Group 1 J.J Atkins during the Brisbane winter carnival and has been good without winning so far this campaign.
Chased well in the Caulfield Guineas without being a winning chance and while this is a big step up in class against the older horses, the weight plays a factor.
Verdict
SELECTIONS
1st: No. 5 Gold Trip
2nd: No. 8 Fangirl
3rd: No. 4 Alligator Blood
4th: No. 11 Militarise
1st: No. 5 Gold Trip
2nd: No. 8 Fangirl
3rd: No. 4 Alligator Blood
4th: No. 11 Militarise
Gold Trip
To Win
@7/1 - 2 Units
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