Cox Plate favourite Jimmy Choux has further cemented his credentials with another Group One victory in New Zealand.
The Spring Classic over the Cox Plate distance of 2040 metres at Hastings was not originally on Jimmy Choux’s schedule.
But after travelling midfield on the fence, Jimmy Choux set out after the leader Red Ruler and unleashed a powerful sprint inside the 200 metres to put the result beyond doubt.
Hold It Harvey rallied to run second in a dead-heat with Red Ruler, 1-3/4 lengths behind Jimmy Choux.
Trainer John Bary decided because Jimmy Choux had done so well since his Windsor Park (1600m) victory at the same track, he should have another lead-up run before running in Australasia’s weight-for-age championship in three weeks.
Jimmy Choux remained the $5 Cox Plate favourite on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s feature race meeting at Flemington.
Helmet, who runs in next week’s Caulfield Guineas, is the Cox Plate second elect at $8 with Rekindled Interest a $10 chance ahead of Sunday’s Group One Turnbull Stakes.
My Kingdom Of Fife is at $13 following his decisive victory in Saturday’s Craven Plate at Randwick.
AAP TURF
