The top-5 international invitees for the 2018 Cox Plate
IS the 2018 edition of the Group 1 Cox Plate (2400m) the most exciting running of the race since its inception?
History could be created if Chris Waller-trained supermare Winx wins an unprecedented fourth-straight Plate, but a boost in prize money could see a better contingent of international runners compete for the Cox than we’ve ever seen before.
The Moonee Valley Race Club released its short-list of international invitees ahead of the 2018 Cox Plate, and the experts at Horse Betting HQ took a look at the top five prospects to become just the second-ever international winner the popular race.
Cracksman
A winner of seven of his nine career starts, Cracksman would be a worthy competitor to Winx if trainer John Gosden elects to take the Moonee Valley Race Club up on their invitation.
After showing plenty of promise as a two and three-year-old, Cracksman has really hit his stride in 2018.
Cracksman has displayed great versatility this year, winning the Group 1 Pix Ganay in France with consummate ease before registering a gritty win in the G1 Coronation Cup at Ascot after looking well beaten at the 200m mark.
A genuine star of the international racing scene, Cracksman would present as the best imported runner if the colt makes the trip down under.
Cracksman is a $26 chance at Ladbrokes
Benbatl
Who doesn’t like seeing the Godolphin blue battling it out for Australia’s premier races?
A winner of three of his last four starts, the four-year-old Benbatl registered his finest victory to date three months ago, smashing the field in the Group 1 Dubai Turf on March 31. The colt has not raced since.
With a lack of home-grown talent putting their hand up in Australia will Godolphin pull the trigger on Benbatl in the 2018 Cox Plate?
Benbatl is a $26 chance at Ladbrokes
Saxon Warrior
Touted as the next big thing of UK racing, Saxon Warrior put in a disappointing performance in the Espom Derby.
Don’t let that dissuade you from rating Saxon Warrior as a highly promising prospect. We all know the Poms love hyping up a sports star to God-like levels, but the Japanese-bred, Irish-trained horse had a powerful win in the 2000 Guineas that lead many to believe the horse could complete the English Triple Crown.
It wasn’t to be, but amazingly for the Aidan O’Brien runner that was the first time the horse had not registered a win in five attempts. If Saxon comes down under don’t sleep on the son of Deep Impact.
Saxon Warrior is a $34 chance at Ladbrokes
Epoca D’Oro
A progressive colt that has a lot of versatility to his name, Epoca D’Oro has displayed top-tier tendencies that bodes well for a strong Cox Plate run.
The horse has never missed a placing in six career starts and hasn’t finished worse than second in three stakes starts. After winning the Japanese 2000 Guineas in stunning fashion, Epoca D’Oro only narrowly missed out from backing that Group 1 win up a bit over a month later in the Japanese Derby.
The Japanese runner has won races at multiple distances and would be a worthy addition to the 2018 Cox Plate field.
Epoca D’Oro is a $34 chance at Ladbrokes
Almond Eye
After a promising opening campaign where the filly won and placed second across a pair of starts as a two-year-old, Almond Eye exploded in 2018, winning three races from as many attempts.
After winning the Shinzan Kinen in her resuming run in January, the race team elected to briefly spell the horse in what proved to be a masterstroke. Almond Eye won the Japanese 1000 Guineas before claiming the G1 Japanese Oaks on May 20, interestingly enough, over the 2400m distance.
As the only female international invitee heading to the Cox Plate, Almond Eye presents as one of the best hopes from overseas.
Almond Eye is a $41 chance at Ladbrokes