Moonee Valley’s Cox Plate committee has elected not to use its discretion to deny any of the 12 acceptors a start in the race, with Caulfield Cup runner-up Gold Trip adding another dimension to Saturday’s $5 million race.
In previous years, the race committee hasn’t shied away from blocking an entry into the weight-for-age race, but there was no controversy on Tuesday as the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable locked in Gold Trip’s Cox Plate berth, fresh off his second placing in Saturday’s Caulfield Cup.
Gold Trip will run in the Cox Plate.Credit:Getty Images
Young Werther, Maximal and Laws Of Indices were three other horses with queries on their credentials for Australia’s weight-for-age championship, but all three placed at group 1 level at their most recent starts to make the decision easier for the race committee.
A week ago, it appeared the Cox Plate may have had a similar field to the Might And Power Stakes, won by Anamoe, who beat I’m Thunderstruck, Zaaki, Mr Brightside and Alligator Blood.
But Gold Trip, as well as Chris Waller’s international import El Bodegon, add another dynamic to the race.
Eustace said Gold Trip had pulled up well from Saturday’s Caulfield Cup, and the fact he brought a different form line to the majority of the field made him an X-factor in the race.
“Firstly, the horse came through Caulfield really well, he’s in great nick, obviously,” Eustace said.
“We just feel the [soft] ground is going to be in his favour this weekend. We can’t guarantee what the ground will be in the Cup, but the fact that it’s away from handicap conditions, he’s not going to have to lump a big weight.
“There are a group of horses that are all obviously high class, have been racing against each other and had hard runs, and he goes there having not faced them. We just think he could measure up to them.”
The connections of Zaaki celebrated at Tuesday’s barrier draw after picking the inside gate, while Anamoe will get every opportunity from barrier four to improve on his runner-up finish in last year’s race.
Alligator Blood drew barrier 12 and is likely to push forward from the outside gate, with the connections of I’m Thunderstruck to weigh up their tactics from barrier 11.
“The draw is good for Anamoe, and it continues a good trend for him this preparation, where he’s going to be able to map well again in the run,” trainer James Cummings said.
“I don’t think James McDonald will want to be too far away. If we can land somewhere third, fourth, fifth – having a quick look at that today – is ideal, but when you’re the third horse picked out in the barrier draw where you’re asked to pick your barrier, third horse out is pretty good.”
Cummings was also joyed by the barrier for his Manikato Stakes favourite Paulele, who scored barrier six in the field of 14. He’ll come in to barrier four if all four emergencies are denied a start in the race.
“It was important for him to draw well in a big field,” Cummings said.
“Sean [Keogh], my assistant, drew the perfect barrier. If there are no scratchings, he will come in a couple of gates as well and jump from four instead of six. But he’s just coming along beautifully.
“He’s been set for the race third up from a spell. Hopefully, it just unfolds for him, and he’s ready to show the lethal turn of foot that he was able to exhibit in the Schillaci at Caulfield.”
Coolangatta (barrier one), Bella Nipotina (two) and Rothfire (five) also drew well, however Roch ‘N’ Horse has a tougher task from gate 15.
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