Connections of last-start surprise Group One winner Land Legend made their intentions known early at Tuesday’s barrier draw for the Group 1 W S Cox Plate (2040m).
To be run at Flemington this year with Moonee Valley under reconstruction, the unique Cox Plate barrier draw allows connections to select their barrier after their horse is drawn and as the first horse drawn, connections of Land Legend were quick to select barrier 12 of 12.
Having led all of the way to upset Sheza Alibi in track record time in the Might And Power Stakes, Land Legend was joined out wide by the other likely speed influence and stablemate Light Infantry Man who will jump from barrier 11.
A narrow favourite early in the week, Aeliana will jump from barrier 10 with James Mcdonald in the saddle and now sits joint favourite at $4.50 with Sir Delius who drew barrier five.
Ceolwulf, who is confirmed to back up from Saturday’s runner-up effort to Autumn Glow in the King Charles III Stakes, drew softly in barrier three while there were mixed draws for the two three-year-olds, Warwoven and Blind Raise.
Winner of the Golden Rose Stakes and Caulfield Guineas, Warwoven is threatening favouritism at $5, aiming to become the first three-year-old since northern-hemisphere three-year-old State Of Rest denied fellow three-year-old Anamoe in 2021.
Fellow three-year-old and Guineas runner-up Blind Raise will jump from barrier nine with Jamie Melham in the saddle, the star jockey saying she’d love nothing more than to add a Cox Plate to her Caulfield and Melbourne Cups from last year.
“This was the race I grew up dreaming of winning,” Melham said.
“This was my number one race I wanted to win. Obviously, I’m very happy to win a Melbourne Cup and a Caulfield Cup. I’m not going to give those back, but I would love to add the Cox Plate to that.
“I’m happy with the barrier, with the speed on our outside. We should be able to be positive enough, but get a nice trail, maybe in the one-one.
“I think it should have won last start… it was massive, most other horses would have folded in that. It wasn’t entitled to run as good as it did and I’m very excited to be given the chance on Saturday.
“If it means I’m thirsty and hungry all week, so be it.”
Barrier one was drawn by Birdman for Ben Melham with the Underwood Stakes winner a $13 chance, just outside of Turnbull Stakes winner Cosmic Crusader at $10 who drew barrier eight.
“It’s the shortest way home isn’t it,” Ben Melham said.
“If Land Legend leads like everyone anticipates and judging by the draw, they’ve kind of shown their hand, I think the shortest way home in fast run races is probably not a bad way to go.”
Ciaron Maher will also back up Saint George and Middle Earth from last week’s Caulfield Cup with last year’s Cox Plate fourth placegetter Attrition rounding out the field of 12 for the $6 million weight-for-age championship.
