Gr 1 – Cox plate Preview

Beaten a nostril in this race last year after a gun ride. His form has been A-one this time up although gun ride probably not the best way to describe last start when he battled home hard for 2nd to Deny Knowledge this trip. They say he struggles with this journey but he is so fit and tries so hard he must be considered.

This is a very, very good Japanese racehorse and as such must be considered. Has run some astonishing times in Japan, not once but several times over this journey. Has excellent form around last year’s Cox Plate winner Romantic Warrior and also the world’s best horse Equinox. Any horse that can repeatedly perform well at Gr 1 level in Japan is a chance in any race in the world. Respect.

Got out and charged late last start to just miss in a weaker race over 1900m. That followed a luckless trip when 4th in the Gr 1 Epsom. This is harder though. Rough place chance.

Is very tough and talented. Plus, he’s in great form and fit. Was a game 3rd in the Gr 1 Epsom over a mile then backed up when led and close 3rd in the Gr 2 Hill Stakes, run down late by Kovalica. This is harder and the trip will test.

English galloper with good stakes form which was underlined in June when a great 2nd in the Gr 1 Queen Anne over 1609m. Can run boldly in the wet and is very honest but the way this race will be run is going to take him out of his comfort zone a long way from home. Not keen.

Holds all the aces as she will go to the lead and by mid-race will be 10 lengths in front. That means they either have to chase her which will upset their racing patterns, or let her go as they did in the Gr 1 Queen Elizabeth over this trip in April. That day she won by 7 lengths. She has won at this track and is cherry-ripe now. Looks the winner.

Star mare one of the world’s best, but in 2 starts against Pride Of Jenni has not been sighted. This is because she drops back and tries to run home hard. Against Jenni she gets simply too far back and down goes the head. Last start, though, she finished like a train to win the 2000m Gr 1 Turnbull beating the brilliant Buckaroo who was then 2nd in the Caulfield Cup last week. Must be a big chance. That incident on Wednesday shouldn’t have an ill-effect on her at all.

One of the best 3YOs ever and was given no chance on that incredibly biased track last start in the Gr 1 Caulfield Guineas over a mile when flashing home for 4th. Had won 5 in a row before that. Is fitter now, has won 3 Gr 1 races thus far and rider Jamie Kah says he is the best racehorse she has ever ridden. Should be running on hard with no weight here.

Syablemate to Mr Brightside and is very good. Had won 4 in a row before he finished 3rd, beating Broadsiding home in the Gr 1 Caulfield Guineas last start. Is very fit. Can he run this trip against this quality is the big question.