Form analyst, RIC CHAPMAN, looks at every runner in Saturday’s Group 1 Cox Plate with horse racing tips for the first four. Read on to see how he maps and assesses the race. Good luck, punters!
Moonee Valley R9 – $5m G1 Â Cox Plate 2040m
1. Zaaki(6) x6D111x113
T: Annabel Neasham /J: James McDonald (59kg)
Scatched
2. DALASAN (3) 7x0733x083
T: Leon McDonald and Andrew Gluyas / J: Daniel Moor (59kg)
Look at this bloke. He has won over $3million in prize money by just being there at the end of every race always at big odds. Did that last start when he was beaten into 3rd in a driving three-way photo in the Gr 1 Epsom. He made up ground late. This is harder though.
3. Gold Trip (2) 0x34x52x3x
T: Ciaran Maher & David Eustace / J: Damien Oliver (59kg)
Scratched
4. CALLSIGN MAV (5) 3x21223x11
T: John Bary / J: Luke Nolen (59kg)
This bloke is an outstanding performer from New Zealand who was an impressive Gr 1 winner over a mile last start. He has raced 19 times and won 7 of them but has placed in another 8 of them, which shows how versatile and classy and consistent he is. Now, is Gr 1 form in NZ up to ours? Normally so but he was beaten at Gr 2 level when he last raced over this trip. Did look awesome at Breakfast With The Stars though during the week.
5. MO’UNGA (4) x32107x125
T: Annabel Neasham / J: Hugh Bowman (57.5kg)
This bloke can be the knock out horse. He is racing as if this trip will suit a great deal and with this race always producing mid-race pressure he will soak that up too. After beating Verry Elleegant in a Gr 1 when resuming, he ran the freak Incentivise to half a length at Gr 1 level, then last start carried topweight, sat three wide all the way, and ran a strong 5th in a very fast run Gr 1 Epsom over a mile. Capable of flashing home.
6. VERRY ELLEEGANT (9) 7x3112x214
T: Chris Waller / J: Damian Lane (57kg)
What a great mare, probably if you review all her body of work, she is a Champion mare. Has had three runs up this time and was narrowly beaten by Mo’unga, then struggled carrying less weight to beat Riodini home in the Gr 1 George Main, before missing a place when soundly held by Incentivise who franked the form last week. So she may not be as good as she was. At her best she wins this comfortably though. Loves the mud so if the rain comes, back her.
7. PROBABEEL (7) x1102x1521
T: Jamie Richards / J: Brett Prebble (57kg)
Outstanding race horse who chased home Zaaki in the Gr 1 Underwood over 1800m when 2nd, then when sent to 2000m in the Gr 1 Caulfield stakes, she ran past Zaaki near home to win. Ran fast time that day and performs at her best on good to fast tracks. Has the ability to sustain speed for a long time and is super fit. Big show.
8. STATE OF REST (8) 125435x31x
T: Joseph O’Brien/ J: John Allen (56.5kg)
Good stayer who is a Gr 1 winner from last start when winning at Saratoga over 1911m. But that is American form and this is considerably harder. Had previously been beaten in Listed grade in Ireland. Has raced 8 times for just 2 wins and a few placings and is aiming very high in this level.
9. ANAMOE (10) x23121x121
T: James Cummings / J: Craig Williams (49.5kg)
Is interesting. Very smart on his day. But just how good is he? This is his hardest test to date but boy the way he circled the field and just kept grinding and fighting away to win the Gr 1 Caulfield Guineas over a mile last start beating Captivant by half a length was impressive. That race throws up winners of this race and this bloke might be very, very special. This is a terrific field but at the weights he must be included. looked great beating Best Of Days at Breakfast With The Stars during the week.
10. CAPTIVANT (1) x3531x3672
T: Team Snowden / J: Dean Yendall (49.5kg)
Tough, solid, honest horse who ran his heart out chasing home Anamoe in the Gr 1 Caulfield Guineas last start. Isn’t bred to get this trip at this level and has raced Anamoe 5 times so far, and has never beaten him home. May find it tough late.
 Tips: 1. MO’UNGA,  2. Anamoe, 3. Probabeel, 4. Verry Elleegant
