Scottish will lead a strong Godolphin team into Melbourne
Cox Plate invitee Scottish will spearhead Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby’s team bound for Australia after he competes in America.
Last year’s Caulfield Cup runner-up will compete in Sunday’s Group One Arlington Million in Chicago ahead of a second trip to Melbourne, this time with 2000m weight-for-age races in mind.
Appleby said on the Godolphin website Scottish had travelled to the United States in good order.
“He’s in great nick. He’s done really well,” Appleby said.
“And I hear he travelled well to the States, and has settled in brilliantly since arriving at Arlington.
“Chris Connett has travelled over with him, together with Mikey Ennis, who rides him on the track each day.”
The Group One races earmarked for Scottish in Melbourne are the Caulfield Stakes on October 14, the Cox Plate on October 28, and the Emirates Stakes on November 11.
“Nothing is set in stone. We’ll leave all the options open as long as possible,” Appleby said.
“But Scottish will lead a strong Godolphin team into Melbourne, all going well, and will be very competitive.
“He has one of the eight invitations issued for the Cox Plate, and we nominated him for the race this week.
“The Winx factor is a major one, but there are many weeks between now and the Cox Plate, and we will weigh up the situation closer to the race.”
Winx is the $1.40 favourite to win her third Cox Plate with last year’s runner-up Hartnell on the second line of TAB betting at $26 alongside Highland Reel and Humidor.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained Highland Reel finished third behind Winx in the 2015 Cox Plate.
