Cox Plate Breakfast With The Best - October 19th

Cox Plate Barrier Draw & Trackwork

COX PLATE

Damian Lane (Verry Elleegant)

Happy with the feel she gave you: “She seems to have come through her Turnbull run in good order and I’m happy with where she is at leading into Saturday.”

Worked on Saturday more of a familiarisation this morning: “She was very good on Saturday. She worked with a mate and got very keen behind as she can get a bit excitable. She worked away from her mate on Saturday and today was more of a maintenance gallop, but she was in much better order today.”

Chris Waller said wait for the thumbs up from you: “He’ll certainly get the thumbs up from me this morning.”

Sound confident she can hit back on Saturday: “She’ll be right. She’s a champion and she won’t stay down for too long.”

Try to replicate win of Lys Gracieux: “That was a special day. I think I said at trackwork before the Saturday that the Cox Plate has a funny way of finding the best horse to win the race and hopefully that happens this time around.”

Kemalpasa in Manikato: “He’s a tough honest horse who was narrowly defeated in the Gilgai and really looking forward to getting on him in the Gilgai.”

Dean Yendall (Captivant)

Second sit on him this morning: “He did a lot more work than he did on Saturday morning. He stretched out really nicely and I’m happy with how he went around and did his business this morning. He galloped round with one of Toby Edmonds. It’s what he needed and hopefully it will top him off for Saturday.”

Do you think the second look is important: “Yeah, 100 per cent. He was a bit more lively this morning. Saturday he was going around on the sleepy side. It was a good thing to just come here for a long. He was well and truly alert this morning.”

Hard not to be impressed by his Guineas run: “100 per cent He didn’t beaten that far by Anamoe. Three-year-olds have made themselves acquainted in this race before. Hopefully he gets a nice run in the race and can go from there. Happy to ride him.”

Ridden Yankee Rose, Wandjina and Royal Symphony before. How does this guy stack up: “I really liked Yankee Rose. She was definitely one of best rides in it coming off a Spring Champion Stakes win. He’s definitely given me a nice enough feel on the track for this type of race.”

49.5 kilos - business as usual: “It’s easy enough.”

Craig Newitt (Keiai Nautique)

Keen for him to take his chance: “He’s a high class horse, albeit he hasn’t won for a while. His runs in Australia have been outstanding. When I rode him at Flemington, he went to the line as well as Colette and horses of that nature and had one of the best sectionals in the race in a bit of traffic. His racing pattern suggests he needs more luck than most time and I’m sure he can make his presence felt.”

How would you like race to play out: “Just a genuine gallop. That looks like how it might be with Zaaki going under the other day, Very Elleegant going under the other day. I think it opens the race right up and if it’s a genuine gallop, which it looks like it might be, he’s one that will close off really strong late.”

Luke Currie (Savatoxl)

Looking for to the ride after first-up win: “He was very good in the Schillaci. I thought he went into having only one jump-out so he’ll improve a lot off that fitness wise and I’m looking forward to it on Friday night.”

Ideal race shape: “He’s got OK gate speed and won’t race too far away from the pace. If he can get somewhere where he can control or in a position to move when he wants to, that would be ideal. He couldn’t get to the front last time as Dosh really ran along, but if he could that would suit. Around here, the circumference will suit him as he’ll be quick around those bends.”

Todd Pollard (Zaaki & Mo’unga)

Big smile on face after Saturday, what about today: “Very similar. It was pretty much the same sort of work that he and Mo’unga did on Saturday morning, maybe a little bit stronger, which was good to see. Zaaki was great through the line, strong on the bridle, so I couldn’t be happier.”

Zaaki can be a casual worker: “Especially when he’s looking around this new courses, it’s good to have him come here for a second time. He needs to be going a bit better than what he was going into his last start. Just in terms of his final piece of work on the Tuesday. Raphael, who rides him in all his trackwork, he gets on so well with him and riding him this morning, he gets on so well with him. It was what we wanted. He was right on Mo’unga the whole time. He kept Zaaki focussed and on the job and probably kept Mo’unga up to the job too.”

How has Zaaki picked up after Might And Power run: “He’s been perfect. He had a few easy days after the run. We took him to the beach and he’s had a few gallops into him now. He knows it’s race day. He’s pretty quiet at home, but he gets to a day like this and he prances around, he’s on his toes and he seems right where we want him to be.”

No problems with the circumference here on Saturday: “He seems to handle this track a lot better than what he did at Caulfield. Many people say that too. You come from Sydney and quite often they don’t handle the track, but they come to Moonee Valley and they get on so much better with it. On his two pieces of work he’s got around the track perfect.”

Mo’unga arrived Thursday night had a look Saturday: “He’s going super for what he does. He’s worked with Zaaki a few times now, Zaaki has his measure which we saw today, but the way Mo’unga worked was one of the better pieces of work you would see from him. He can be very casual, but the blinkers go on on raceday and they make a big difference. Fred (Kersley) he’s done us a favour, Hugh Bowman goes on on Saturday, but he’s ridden him the last couple of times and I think he would love to have a sit on the horse as he thinks the horse is going really well.”

Rest of the week look. To the beach: “They’ll probably go a couple of times more. Straight from the gallops, we’ll head there now help cool the legs off which will be good for them and then wrap them in cotton wool. It’s good to get this out of the way, get a bit of pressure off our backs to see them both work well and as long as they come through it we’ll get them here in good shape on Saturday.”

How is Annabel Neasham dealing with the week: “She calls a fair bit and I know she wishes she could be down here, but it’s just the way it’s worked out unfortunately. With the big team back home, there’s some big races there as well, hopefully we can get the job done for her.”

Nick Ryan (Express Pass)

Looking forward to the Manikato: “Absolutely. I was very happy with his work this morning. Rhys (McLeod) rode him and he was happy. He looked super, his action was good, so I couldn’t be happier going into Friday night.”

Key is to keep him fresh: “Certainly. When he won the Chautauqua (here) he was fresh. I think he’s got a bit of a liking for The Valley, he’s had two starts for a win and a second, so hopefully he can get the race run to suit and we can get see a performance like the Chautauqua.”

Was this a planned target after the Chautauqua: “If we can get another performance like that from him and he gets the right run in transit he’s a chance. It’s a throw at the stumps and it’s a very strong Group 1, but I couldn’t be happier with the horse.”

That right run - pace on: “He’s best ridden with a sit. He’s got a great turn of foot. He seems to really bounce off the camber here. With even luck in running, hopefully we can have a good run on Friday night.”

Good for Rhys to get a ride in a Group 1: “Rhys has been very good lately. He rode 56kg at Horsham on Sunday and it’s the fittest he has been for a long time. It would be very rewarding for him.”

Luke Nolen (Callsign Mav)

First sit this morning: “He’s a casual bastard, a bit like myself. He gave me a nice feel underneath and he went out there and worked in a sound manner. I’m looking forward to Saturday, I can’t wait.”

Took to the track: “He had no problems. He’s raced left-handed a fair bit back home. He was very comfortable around here. It was only his second look and Saturday, under race conditions, won’t hold any fears.”

Gone and looked at form and tapes. How does he stack up: “It’s probably hard to line it all up. They’ve come across in years gone by and been very competitive, so I would expect the same. We saw Zaaki and Verry Elleegant get beaten at their last runs, so maybe it’s evened it up a bit. The track, the way it’s presented on Saturday, I think he’s effective on all. He’s come across in great shape. John (Bary) has done a great job. He’s had a couple of maintenance gallops and a look around here and he’s ready to go Saturday.”

The horse has a bold front running style. Should take luck out: “He doesn’t need to lead and he can get very competitive when he’s in that position. He’s got the visors on and he can see them coming if we do find ourselves in that position, but he can sit off a pace as well and be as effective.”

The weather: “That will be important. There will be 16 races before the Grand Final on Saturday. That will play a vital role as well.”

Wind back the clock to El Segundo: “It was a long time ago and I had less grey hair. I’m no smarter, no less silly anyway. It came pretty quickly for me. I was an old bloke at the time and I didn’t realise how hard these big four are to win. I’ve had a lot of rides in Caulfield Cups and Melbourne Cups, they’re hard to win. This race is hard to get a ride in, let alone win. I’ve got my lottery ticket on Saturday and hopefully I can cash it in.”

Daniel Moor (Dalasan)

“He’s a complete gentleman. A beautiful horse to ride. He’s well travelled and done a lot of racing. He’s definitely no fuss and no frills.

“He’s in great order, can’t fault him. He’s fantastic and staying with the Hawkes stable here.

“He went through his paces this morning on a nice surface at Flemington and did enough.

“He’s a fantastic old horse. His prizemoney speaks for itself. He’s raced at the elite level his whole career and he’s rarely disgraced himself.

“Last start was excellent, I thought. I think he’s probably a little bit underrated in the market here, but one thing we know is that he’s a warhorse that’s tough and you know he gives his all every time you go out.

On Jonker: “He hasn’t had a lot of luck this preparation. He worked here on Saturday morning and I was more than pleased with him. Same again, he’s a gentleman.

“He’s a beautifully relaxed horse, goes around here and has a really good action and good attitude. He didn’t have a great deal of luck last start and and for most of his prep, unfortunately. We’ll be looking to turn that around. He’s in fantastic order.

“It seems at the moment that Sydney form is shining again in Melbourne and winning on Wild Ruler, he brought that Sydney from down and I just think that the northern form is a little bit superior, at the moment anyway.

Does he dare to dream of a Cox Plate: “You get a bit greedy. You win a Group 1, a couple of Group 1s and you want to win a major next. It’s head down, bum up and see what we can do.”

Mick Price

Lombardo - Manikato: “He’s in the zone. I didn’t bring him out today because he’s an energetic type of horse and don’t need to overdo him. He’s obviously won here.

“He worked this morning at Caulfield. He went super and is very well in himself. It looks an even Manikato this year.

“I think a quicker horse probably has it on him but he’s a strong 1200 metre horse. It is just a matter of where he draws and luck in running.

“I actually think he’d be getting 1400 metres, but it is a tough 1200 metres here. He’s capable of running in the thick end of the prizemoney.

Sudoku - Red Anchor: “He worked nicely with a nicely with a two-year-old that has trialled at Caufleild called Demote (have to check). She’s a sharp filly but has to get a run.

Jungle Magnate: “I’m going to put blinkers on him. He got beaten a short-half-head in the Hill Smith Stakes in Adelaide. He’s a nice Tarzino, big tough strong gelding. He’s going into the Vase and then into the Derby.”  

Troy Corstens

Swats That - galloped at Flemington instead: “Changed our minds at the last minute but very happy and wanted to keep her in her routine. She’s a funny filly and I think we got more out of galloping her this morning than we would have by bringing her here.

Last start: “I still think that she did a really good job to travel like she did and do the work that she did. I think she boxed on really well. That has really brought her on.

Up to 1200: “We were open coming into the spring but it sticks out quite nicely this race and I think it fits in well with the program.

“As long as she is back to her best, which I think that she is, she is right in it up to her ears.

Barrier: “It would be nice to draw a gate with her for a chance so inside of barrier five and we’d be happy.

“I’m not hopeful (she’ll run a good race), I know she’ll run a good race.”

Ciaron Maher 

Gold Trip here last Saturday: “He had a good look around (and) Ollie’s first sit on him. He worked with Thought Of That in nice solid work.

“He did have a nice look around and Ollie said the further he went in his work, the stronger he felt.

“He said he felt really nice underneath him and the weather might play into his hands. He does enjoy a bit of give in the track. It is looking that way at this stage.

“He was very stiff when he landed and had a fair bit of muscle soreness but really freed up (now).

“He’s a happy horse and did a bit of solid work on Friday at Werribee then the solid piece of work here on Saturday. Really clean winded. Ollie commented and said that his recovery was pretty well instant.

“Now we’ll just freshen up into the race. He’s been down to Altona Beach a little bit for something different to change it up and he seems to be enjoying it.

“He’s got that solid european form. Placed at his last two starts in Group 1s and he’s run really well in the Arc 12 months ago. He’s a high quality horse and I like the way he’s come together especially over the last couple of weeks.

“He’s pretty exciting and the weather couple play into his hands.

Good ‘race shape’ for him: “Him in front at the winning post! I don’t know. Ollie has had a sit on him and he knows what to do in those big races. But race day he tends to switch on a little but. He’s a race day horse, really.

“He can be a little bit casual in work. Race day he’ll switch on and hopefully Ollie can get the job done.”

Be sentimental to win after Sir Dragonet: “Obviously a tough week. He was a bloody good horse, Sir Dragonet. We’ll try and win these races anyway.”

Sneaky Five - Manikato - last start: “Caught me a little bit by surprise. She’s a bit of a race day horse as well. Has been working well but nothing to suggest she’s going to blow them away. Very exciting horse. Just the way she’s come back, the way she’s some through that run.

“The fillies, as we saw with Loving Gaby, they get in with a nice weight. She hasn’t done anything wrong so far so hopefully she can keep it going.”

Bella Nipotina: “I think she’s absolutely thriving. Can’t fault her. Her runs have been super. I think her last furlong was one of the quickest of the day last start. She loves getting her toe into the ground. Loves a bit of rain and she can race forward, back, anywhere. I just think she’s a mare in the form of her career.

Away Game: “Away Game probably didn’t run to form down the straight. We’ve freshened her up and her work was good here on Saturday. So not the ideal lead in but she’s a high quality mare.”

Crystal Bound: “We saw what she did here for her first start. She scooted around the rail and I think she won her first start by six lengths. Three-year-old filly gets in with a really nice weight, knows her way around The Valley and is in good form.

“She went to her first start and off a light prep with just one trial. She as able to get that done. A solid effort the other day and the 1200 will be no trouble at all.”

Damien Oliver

Gold Trip on Saturday morning: “I was pleased with him. It was a nice piece of work. He’s quite a relaxed type of horse but he looks great, he feels great, his action was good and his fitness is really good as well.

“He’s very clean in the wind and really pleased with him. He’s not a horse that you go ‘wow’ in his trackwork but will certainly switch it on for you on race day.

<Indicated no problem with Moonee Valley circuit>

“He’s got some great form overseas and if the rain comes that they’re forecasting then he doesn’t mind a soft track either. I’m really pleased with him and looking forward to riding him on Saturday.”

Where to draw: “Probably somewhere in the middle, I’d be happy with.”

Swats That: “She had a tough run from a wide draw the other day but she’s trained on nicely since and i”m pleased the way she’s going.

“It looks an open race and hopefully she can draw a bit kindly this week and she’ll get her best chance.”

Jason Warren

Brooklyn Hustle: “Really pleased with her work this morning. Soft ground with a little bit of overnight rain and she coped with that really well. It is probably not her preferred surface but her work this morning was faultless.

Next: “We were strong looking at the Manikato but as a group, Rosemont have Sneaky Five running in the Manikato. She’s been going very well and the team were keen to run her and not run the filly and mare against each other.

“So we’ll be saving her for the TAB Stakes down the straight at Flemington on Derby Day.”

Not much luck last start: “It was a nice working gallop for her and she bounced through it. She didn’t have any luck - it is pretty easy to see that. The main thing is the horse is in great shape and she’ll get her turn.

“The race on Derby Day, 1200 metres down the straight, she’ll get her chance there.”  

Don Casboult on leaving out Keiai Nautique

“We’ve had long conversations with the committee and Keiai Nautique has been eliminated. We felt that his form just simply wasn’t good enough to participate in the field. He’s not won for three years, he won a Group 1 race as a three-year-old. I think he’s had over 20 starts and been placed on one occasion.”

Devastating no crowds: “Quite frankly we were quite disappointed. We’re only days away from being on the right side of the road map. It’s disappointing.

“We’re very sad we haven’t got our members, our sponsors and I just want to say thank you to our members and our sponsors for supporting their club, not our club, and that’s been a wonderful achievement from them.

“It would be great to have owners and other guests on course, but the reality is, but we will put on a great show and it will be a great race day, a great show so people can sit at home and watch an enjoy it on racing.com, Channel 7. It’s a great day and we believe it’s the best race in the country. I think this field is reaffirmation of that.”

Jamie Richards (on SENTrack)

Probabeel: “I didn’t think she needed to go to Moonee Valley this morning. I preferred to give her some work at home (Flemington) and take her to the beach tomorrow.

“She worked on the course proper with a mate of Danny O’Brien’s and from what i’m led to believe it was a solid piece of work.  

Weather the worry: “Loves good ground, needs good ground to show her best and thankfully that (also) hinders a couple of the others. So we’re looking forward to hopefully running on a good track on Saturday.

Is she at her peak: “I don’t think she’s far away. I’ve been aiming towards this race for quite some time. Touch wood at this stage everything is going as to plan.

“She needs to put up a career best performance, no doubt. The won’t be hacking around and cantering home like they did in the Caulfield Stakes. It will be a truly run race. High pressure and got to hope that we can see out the trip.

“They’re not going to sit and sprint and Zaaki will be out and going, I’d say.”

Michael Browell

“To pull together a high quality field of 10 runners for the 2021 Ladbrokes Cox Plate is shaping  up as another great race on Saturday.”

On leaving out Keiai Nautique: “It was a line ball decision. There was a lot of debate around the committee table this morning. The horse had not won a race for three years, so that probably went against him and we probably feel that he’s a little better at 1600 metres. I understand connections will accept with him in The Mile on Saturday.”

On wanting the best of the best: “His best run since coming out was fourth in the Group 1 Winx Stakes, but his other runs haven’t quite been there.

“The other surprise this morning we thought the other three-year-old Forgot You would accept, but trainer Trent Busuttin and connections have elected to go to The Vase on Saturday.”