The G1 Cox Plate has been won by virtually every champion to have graced the Australian turf. For more than 90 years, racing's crème de la crème have come to tiny Moonee Valley and thrilled the massive crowds in Melbourne.
The G1 Cox Plate has been won by virtually every champion to have graced the Australian turf. For more than 90 years, racing's crème de la crème have come to tiny Moonee Valley and thrilled the massive crowds in Melbourne.
The mighty Phar Lap, the incomparable Tulloch, the amazing Gunsynd and in more recent times, triple G1 Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva, all won the Plate. The winners' honour roll is a Who's Who of Australian racing.
Is there another great champion waiting to be crowned this Saturday? There might well be. With impressive overseas representation, plus the best 2,000-metre horses in Australia, this is arguably the most balanced field in recent years.
Godolphin rely on Hartnell, to be partnered by James McDonald, and Complacent, with English visitor James Doyle flown in from the UK. Trainer John O'Shea is happy that both horses get their chance to line up in the country's premier weight-for-age race.
"Complacent has come back after nearly two years on the sidelines, and his progress has been impressive," O'Shea said.
In 2013, Complacent was runner-up to Polanski in the Victoria Derby, but injury struck and kept the Authorized colt off the track for a long time. He has come back to win the G2 Chelmsford Stakes and the G3 Craven Plate, and comes into the race in top form.
Hartnell is in a slightly different position, as he preps for the two-mile G1 Melbourne Cup at Flemington on November 3. Nevertheless, this tough campaigner should not be underestimated, even over 2,040 metres, according to his trainer.
"I think he might surprise a lot of people," O'Shea said. "I am very happy with him, and I assure you, he is set to run a very big race in the Cox Plate," he added.
Two years ago, the Gai Waterhouse-trained Fiorente ran a cracking 'trial' for the Cup when placed in the Cox Plate. Hartnell has a similar profile, and he could easily produce something similar.
The opposition is very strong, headed by Criterion, winner of the G1 Caulfield Stakes following a summer in the UK, and the Chris Waller-trained trio, Winx, Preferment and Kermadec.
Following Adelaide's stunning win in the Cox Plate last year, Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien sends over Highland Reel, the recent winner of the Secretariat Stakes in America. This colt had earlier been runner-up to New Bay in the French Derby at Chantilly, and on paper, may have stronger credentials than Adelaide.
Arod, a strapping son of Darley stallion Teofilo, could be just the type for Moonee Valley. He won the G3 Diomed Stakes at Epsom, and he was second (to Solow) in the G1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood -- both sharp tracks that suited his front-running style.
Gailo Chop, from France, has plenty of class and comes to Melbourne off the back of a win at Maisons-Laffitte in Paris.
The Cleaner, an ever-popular runner, and Pornichet, the G1 Doomben Cup winner after being bought at the pre-Royal Ascot sale in London, add plenty of interest.
As ever, the Cox Plate will be one of the talking points of the Melbourne Spring Carnival.
