The best two minutes in Australian sport is how racing fans down under describe the Cox Plate, and with the race growing in stature world wide, those from overseas are becoming more interested in claiming the WFA championship of Australasia.
Here at Justhorseracing, we’ve put together a preview of key runners likely to take their place in the 2021 Cox Plate.
Gold Trip
Breeding: Outstrip x Sarvana
Trainer: Ciaron Maher/David Eustace
Career Stats: 10: 1-3-2
Min/Max Distance Wins: 2200m/2200m
Career Best Win: Prix Greffulhe, June 6 2020, Lyon-Parilly, Soft Surface
Dry Track Stats: 1: 0-0-1
Wet Track Stats: 9: 1-3-1
Short Summary: He’s got the form around to give the Cox Plate a shake.
Prix Garnay (2100m), May 2 2021, Longchamp, Clockwise Direction, Soft Surface
Excellent run from off the speed. Mare Australis was given a peach in front by Boudot and to the credit of Gold Trip, he finished his race off strongly and safely held the rest in a good effort.
Grand Prix De Saint Cloud (2400m), July 4 2021, Saint Cloud, Anti-Clockwise Direction, Soft Surface
Gee he did a super job to get as close as he did given the winner, Broome, got complete control in front. Loved the way he finished his race off and confirms once again that he’s very good despite the winning strike rate.
Final Summary: He’s only won one race, but I’m warming to him more and more. Lightly raced with strong form, he attacks the line, handles all conditions and if he brings the best version of himself to the Valley, he’ll make sure Zaaki knows it’s not a one horse race as most are thinking.
State Of Rest
Breeding: Starspangledbanner x Repose
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien
Career Stats: 8: 2-1-2
Min/Max Distance Wins: 1207m/1911m
Career Best Win: Saratoga Derby, August 7 2021, Saratoga, Firm Surface
Dry Track Stats: 6: 2-1-2
Wet Track Stats: 2: 0-0-0
Short Summary: Give him a dry Moonee Valley deck and he’s right in this.
Celebration Stakes (1609m), June 26 2021, Curragh, Clockwise Direction, Good Surface
I think you could easily make a case to say he wins this instead of a luckless third to Fourhometwo, a horse who I think could be a sleeper for the Golden Eagle now it’s with Annabel Neasham, so this form is a tick.
Saratoga Derby (1911m), August 7 2021, Saratoga, Anti-Clockwise Direction, Firm Surface
There was a bit of dominance about this win, aided by a peach from a tricky draw by Velasquez. This field was very strong on paper and did contain Cadillac, who was on the Cox Plate radar at one stage, so this is a strong form line.
https://mobile.twitter.com/WorldRacing1/status/1424118566954192904
Final Summmary: He’s got the looks and the engine under the hood to command. Zaaki is the talk of the town and rightfully so, but this guy has the O’Brien polish, he has a turn of foot…the query will be if we get a wet track, because a drop of rain and he’ll struggle. A firm deck and he’s a definite winning chance.
