Live from Moonee Valley: 2015 Cox Plate barrier draw
FINAL acceptances have closed and the barrier draw for the 2015 Cox Plate has been held on course at Moonee Valley.
The greatest weight-for-age race in the world will be run at Moonee Valley this Saturday for a purse of $3 million with 14 runners looking to etch their name alongside some of the world’s best champions.
Last year Adelaide came over from Europe and stole the show in what was a blanket finish. Can the European raiders go home with one of Australia’s greatest races, or can the locals hold the fort? All will be revealed this Saturday at the Valley.
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John O’Shea will have two runners in the Cox Plate, but Contributer has been left out of the field, making way for the Chris Waller-trained Pornichet.
“Contributer worked outstanding today with a little bit of cut in the ground but we’re going to leave him at home,” O’Shea said.
“The other two have great form and we can save Contributer for the Mackinnon.
“The likely tempo [of a Mackinnon] and circumference of Flemington I think will suit him so we are going to go there.”
Prior to the barrier draw, Glen Boss shared his thoughts about where he would ideally place Kermadec in the field.
“We’d all like to draw decent barriers, said Boss.
“Be nice to put him away, turn off the keys and park him. Essentially if I can get him to switch off early, he’d be able to show that turn of speed.
“The mile-and-a-quarter won’t be a problem. Gives me the feel he will get the trip and he’s a couple of lengths better with his toe in the ground, which he will get here.
“I think this is a four-length better race than last year. It’s going to be a contest, no doubt. It’s not going to be a sit and sprint.
“At the end of the day, the best horse will win. It’s as simple as that.”
Boss also paid tribute to race-rival Fawkner which was disappointing last start in the Caulfield Stakes.
“He’s [Kermadec] got a great attitute. Given the right circumstances, the right run, he’s got a great turn of foot. I’m expecting Fawkner to fight back, I’ve got him in my top three and I’ve got my ride in the top three as well,” Boss said.
Fawkner’s jockey Damien Oliver was disappointed with its most recent effort, but he’s confident that the top quality contender can compete in the Cox Plate.
“Uncharacteristic run from fawkner, said Oliver.
“He ran second last year and he’s still in for a good chance.
“There’s no distance doubts with him. He’s done everything right, just be forgiving of that last run. It’s all systems go.
“There’s obviously a good couple of Europeans coming. A lot of depth in this race, there’s more horses that can win, that can’t win.”
2015 Cox Plate barrier draw
1. Criterion – (7)
2. Fawkner – (14)
3. Happy Trails – (13)
4. Hartnell – (3)
5. Mourinho – (12)
6. The Cleaner – (2)
7. Pornichet – (11)
8. Arod – (5)
9. Complacent – (6)
10. Gailo Chop – (8)
11. Kermadec – (10)
12. Preferment – (9)
13. Highland Reel – (4)
14. Winx – (1)
Darren Beadman, representing Godolphin, got two early picks on behalf of trainer John O’Shea. The former champion jockey had the first pick where he chose barrier six for Complacent.
“It was good to get out of the gates early,” said Beadman.
“First cab off the rank, looks an ideal type of gate for him.”
Beadman was then asked which horse he’d rather ride in the Cox Plate. After a lengthy delay and plenty of laughter in the media room, Beadman have his decision.
“It’s like saying who’s your favourite kid. I’ll go complacent,” Beadman said.
2015 Cox Plate market and odds
Criterion – $5.50
Highland Reel – $5.50
Winx – $7
Kermadec – $7
Arod – $9
Preferment – $13
Fawkner – $15
Hartnell – $15
Complacent – $15
Happy Trails – $21
The Cleaner – $21
Gailo Chop – $26
Mourinho – $34
Pornichet – $34
The big movers after the barrier draw have been Criterion and Highland Reel. Both are on the first line of betting, with Winx drifting out from $6 to $7 after drawing barrier one, but jockey Hugh Bowman believes the inside draw suits.
“She’s got the tactical pace. I think it’s a good draw,” Bowman said.
“I’d say she’s very unknown. Her performances are there for everyone to see.
“We’re under no illusion that she’s going to deal with this like the way shes been winning. I’ve got my doubts about the form of the race [Epsom Handicap] but until she comes out and races against these type of horses, no one really knows.
“She looks to have held her condition well, I’m looking forward to the weekend.”
International runners Highland Reel and Arod have been well supported after Adelaide won the 2014 Cox Plate. Gailo Chop is the only non-supported international runner at $26.
2015 Manikato stakes field and barrier draw
The Group 1 WilliamHill Manikato Stakes is being run a day prior to the Cox Plate on Friday night and the barrier draw was also completed this Tuesday morning.
10 runners have been entered in the 1200-metre sprint which last year saw one of the greatest finishes of all time. The entire field was spread across the Moonee Valley straight with Lankan Rupee holding off all finishes.
Lankan Rupee has suffered an injury this campaign and won’t be able to defend its title.
Group 1 Manikato Stakes barrier draw and odds:
1. Buffering – (7) $7.50
2. Chautauqua – (2) $2.10
3. terravista – (1) $5.50
4. rebel dane – (4) $13
5. Tiger Tees – (9) $51
6. Fast ‘n’ Rocking – (3) $51
7. Rich Enuff – (6) $18
8. srikandi – (10) $6
9. Griante – (5) $71
10. Alpha Miss – (8) $10
One of the world’s best sprinters Chautauqua has drawn semi-favourably in barrier two. The Hawkes’-trained runner likes to get back in the field and sprint home. Barrier two will means it won’t have to do much work in the run, but it will be forced to either find runs along the inside, or pull out very wide around the tight final turn at Moonee Valley.
Multiple Group 1 winner Buffering has drawn wide in barrier seven. The Robert Heathcote-trained runner loves running at Moonee Valley and it’s coming off a strong win in the Moir Stakes last time out.
“Always a delight to come back here, my favourite race track in the world,” said Heathcote.
“A relief to get ‘buff’ back. Tough road to get him back, took a lot of time. He came through that [Moir Stakes] run in great order and we’re pretty excited heading to friday night.
“With these elite athletes, you just tick them over from race to race. I haven’t done a lot with him. he’s got the cheeky nature about him.”
Srikandi has drawn the widest in barrier 10, but it will likely go forward and find the rail.
“It’s a barrier, doesn’t really matter,” trainer Ciaron Maher said.
“She’s pretty right heading into this. Held some residual fitness after her Queensland campaign. She’s been tighened up by a couple of barrier trials.
“Last year up in Queensland she had a long campaign. This year she had a more targeted campaign and she’s done it quite easy. Spelled well and had a nice prep into this.”
Alpha Miss has come a long way in a short period of time. It defeated the likes of Lankan Rupee last start at Caulfield after sitting on the sidelines for an extended period of time.
Jockey Craig Williams is pleased with its work since, but is weary of the quality of opposition that will greet it on Friday night.
“I’m really happy with Alpha Miss,” Williams said. “Happy with her preparation coming in.
“She took on the boys in the Group 2 and the way that she is going this preparation, it warrants this graduation to the Manikato stakes.
“She’s really come on having the confidence of a win. Really looking forward to her stepping up against our best sprinters.”
Alpha Miss is currently a $10 chance at CrownBet.com.au after drawing barrier eight.