UK import Docklands has passed a last-minute vet test on Saturday morning, clearing the way for all nine elite runners to take place in a mouth-watering Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.
Vets scheduled a second inspection for the Harry Eustace-trained galloper after noticing a change in the horse’s gait at the Werribee quarantine centre on Friday.
Docklands has passed a vet test to run in the 2024 Cox Plate.Credit: Getty Images
Connections were relieved when Docklands was given the all-clear at 6.40am on Saturday, 50 minutes before the deadline for final scratchings. The OTI-owned import is having its first start in Australia in the $5 million Cox Plate, and will be ridden by Blake Shinn.
It has been an eventful week for the Cox Plate field, with the well-fancied Chris Waller runner Via Sistina throwing jockey James McDonald to the ground during Tuesday morning’s track work and running an extra three laps of the Moonee Valley circuit.
Waller had to completely reorganise the group 1-winning mare’s training regime this week, limiting her programme to beach work and light gallops.
He gave her the all-clear on Thursday afternoon after a return training run at the Valley, saying she had “recovered well”.
“She was very sharp around there today, cornered well. I couldn’t fault her. In all honesty, it would be an injustice not to run her,” Waller said.
McDonald is shooting for his third straight Cox Plate victory, following his wins on Anamoe and Romantic Warrior, and success on Saturday afternoon would bring up his 100th group 1 win, making him the youngest ever in Australia to reach that milestone.
Cult hero Pride Of Jenni has also had an unusual lead-up preparation, having raced in Sydney last weekend. She spent two days in and out of the spa and hyperbaric chamber at trainer Ciaron Maher’s NSW property before being trucked back to Victoria on Wednesday.
She was passed fit to run by vets during routine tests on Thursday, but will have a further inspection when she arrives at the Valley before the race.
“The Ciaron Maher-trained Pride of Jenni was passed suitable to race yesterday, however, was not wearing plates when inspected and therefore will undergo a trot-up with plates on when the mare arrives on-course on Saturday,” Racing Victoria stewards said on Friday.
If Pride Of Jenni can win the weight-for-age championship it will cap of another impressive weekend for the all-conquering Maher.
He unearthed another potential Melbourne Cup runner on Friday night when Okita Soushi won the 2500-metre Moonee Valley Gold Cup by half a length from the Lloyd Williams-owned Serpentine.
The Irish import sits 39th in the order of entry for the Melbourne Cup, but could be elevated up the list if he receives a penalty from RV handicapper David Hegan.
“He’s just a classic stayer that wants 12 furlongs [2400m]. Once you get him to that level, and at a level of fitness, he excels,” Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said.
“It [the Melbourne Cup] has always been the long-term plan when he came to us off the back of his last campaign in spring. It’s really good and pleasing when things work out in terms of timing.”
Maher is looking to have at least four starters on the first Tuesday in November, including Okita Sushi, Sydney Cup winner Circle Of Fire, Geelong Cup runner-up Interpetation and import Saint George, which is currently 31st in the order of entry.
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