Cox Plate plunge on Aidan O’Brien trained galloper

Hong Kong’s Romantic Warrior has been the anticipated favourite for this year’s Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m), but an unexpected challenger emerges.

Irish horse, Victoria Road, once an outsider at $101 a month ago, has seen his odds drastically slashed to $7.00 with many Australian online bookmakers.

Kheir, who recently assessed Victoria Road’s form and condition, was notably impressed.

“I had a good look at him the other day and was really impressed. He’s in a good space and can run really well on Saturday,” Kheir told racing.com.

Having previously clinched the 2021 Cox Plate title with Sir Dragonet, Kheir is no stranger to success.

With the association of renowned trainer O’Brien and a plan for Victoria Road’s future under Ciaron Maher and Dave Eustace, optimism is in the air.

“He is set to run really well.  I wasn’t sure whether it would be this year or next, but the stable are so happy with him, who knows?” Kheir added.

“All we can say is that he’s in a good space and can run really well there on Saturday,”

Jockey Blake Shinn will steer Victoria Road in the Cox Plate, while the current favourite, Romantic Warrior, continues his prep with jockey James McDonald.