Despite a dubious outside influence, the Cox Plate promises to be the race of the season although the Moonee Valley program is floundering in the dust of prizemoney millions generated at Royal Randwick.
Once tagged Australasia’s Weight-For-Age Championship the Cox Plate now has gained more international flavour but has this added or depleted the appeal?
Never before has there been less exposure, in Sydney anyway, for the Cox Plate favourite than Prognosis, from Japan, this year.
Even without Prognosis it would be an intriguing clash, heightened by Pride of Jenni’s anticipated freewheeling out in front plus Via Sistina and Mr Brightside, under Craig Williams, as well as the promising three-year-old Broadsiding in a tactical test around the demanding circuit.
Speed aplenty should suit Prognosis, Damian Lane aboard is a plus, too, because Japanese horses are trained tough. According to reports, though, Prognosis can be sluggish at the start.
Sure, Prognosis could bring Yen into the betting market but the Cox Plate stimulates memories like few others. Champions Winx, Makybe Diva, Kingston Town, and Sunline come to mind as well as greats including Might And Power, So You Think and Dulcify.
More recently Hong Kong’s Romantic Warrior, State of Rest, Adelaide, from Ireland, and Lys Gracieux (Japan) hardly trigger the same reaction. Before triumphant last year Romantic Warrior had previously raced here which gave him local appeal.
Obviously the Cox Plate is as much about jockeys as horses. Declan Bates has to gauge the tempo of Pride Of Jenni. Royal Patronage, a Tulloch Lodge front-runner, has the early speed to be a pest around like mare like stablemate Major Beel at Randwick last week.
Once I figured the best stayer won the Cox Plate. Prognosis gets a tick but so too Via Vistina. While Mr Brightside could be tested by the 2020 metres the gelding will get the run of the race from Williams coming from the two gate.
Jamie Kah has drawn out on Broadsiding (8) but I see no urgency to get an early position. Docklands, with reasonable British credentials, is getting a mention from wise guys but I’ll gamble on the potential of Broadsiding.
Yes, the Cox Plate is $5 million and worth every cent but the remainder of the Moonee Valley program hardly compares to Randwick which again bolsters the spring carnival here at the expense of Melbourne.
Randwick as two $2 million races and two $1million events. After the Cox Plate, the richest Moonee Valley prize is the Crystal Mile, $400,000, compared to $750,000 for Randwick’s Craven Plate.
Of course Moonee Valley is watered down by the Friday night meeting but Saturday is the major race day and the Cox Plate program previously had far greater impact.
Whether Sydney prizemoney is inflated arose from Ron Finnemore the former Australian Jockey Club chairman, astute businessman, an advocate for retaining Rosehill, and racing enthusiast, arose recently on the fourth day of public hearings at the Rosehill Select Committee.
(To keep in touch with Rosehill Select Committee hearings about the Rosehill debacle I recommend Bren O’Brien’s “Straight Up”.)
“I think that one area of opportunity for saving is that we are paying far too big a prizemoney the new major races,” Finnemore said.
“I’m supportive of these races. I believe that they have been great for the promotion of the industry here in NSW but I don’t believe that the prizemoney needs to be anywhere near as big as it is to get the same promotion effect.
“These funds could be spread across many other races and facilities in the industry across NSW”.
I doubt the drop of $1 million would make any difference to The Invitation and Spring Champion Stakes, which hardly promises a vintage chapter this year considering Tom Kitten scored in the 2023 with Sharp’n’smart 12 months earlier. In 2020 David Payne’s Montefilia was successful and Payne has Rag Queen engaged today.
A $15,000 purchase, Rag Queen is no Montefilia but should be considered. Can a polo pony be secured for that amount?
Last start Rag Queen hit the line strong when fourth to El Castello, the favourite in the Spring Champion, beaten 2.5 lengths over 1800 metres at Rosehill. Payne is applying blinkers again which could contribute to improvement and she was $16 yesterday.
Perhaps cynics will agitate for a prizemoney cut to the $1 million Callander – Presnell, another that falls short of previous chapters.
Past winners had better form than Depth Of Character my suggestion this year. Experienced with more than a fair share of cardiac arrythmia concerning horses and AFL of late I am drawn towards Depth Of Character, beaten 15 lengths recently due to the affliction.
Usually at their next attempt they are heart problem free. Going back to his Eagle Farm win in June he has strong prospects.
2 Responses
Max,
It looks risky to run races on the Valley track on the Friday before the Plate. When misfortune with the weather would only be allowed to happen once, the risk should probably not be taken ever. Taking the risk does not sit easily when six of the Friday-eight are benchmark, mid-weeker, races averaging 74. The Plate program on the Saturday also looks overfull of G2&G3 races, ratings that may not all meet the more objective criteria now needed to keep Group-class status. All up the two programs might sensibly be consolidated into a single better one on the Saturday. As is, it may be another illustration of prospective tax-takes from inflated bettting turnover compromising the quality of the racing presented.
As always thank you