Cox Plate guide and tips
HOPE you had a reasonable day last week. The early bird certainly caught the worm with all the money made in the first four races on Caulfield Cup day, but I hope to spread the love this week to the whole program.
It has been a long week and I have to save some ink for the Limited Edition Derby Day Classic, so hopefully you'll excuse the lack of detail. However, it’s the numbers not the letters you are after and rest assured, the Postman has burned the midnight oil to help his loyal band of tipsters.
Race 1. 12:35 PM EST Microflite Helicopters Inglis Banner 1000m $250,000 Plus $30,000 SV Bonus
Follow the money trail if you feel inclined. Mirror Man trialled well and comes from an astute yard. The same goes for Masthead.
Best bet
6. Mirror Man
Strong chances
5. Masthead
9. Elite Falls
3. Ave the Snip
Race 2. 1:20 PM EST Arrow Training Services Stakes (LISTED) 1600m $100,000 Plus $10,000 SV Bonus
Ambers Waltz will win by lengths if she's at her best and should be super competitive. Absolutely from the Kent yard is a horse on the up.
Best bet
1. Ambers Waltz
Strong chances
7. Absolutely
6. Attributes
4. Zubbaya
Race 3. 2:05 PM EST 1300 Australia Stakes(GROUP 3) 1200m $150,000 Plus $10,000 SV Bonus
Happy Trails should have almost won last start but got cluttered back on the fence. However, it made great late ground and with luck, can feature again. Blink may get the favours again, but this time it will be harder.
Best bet
4. Happy Trails
Strong chances
9. Blink
8. Shiny and New
2. Lone Rock
Race 4. 2:40 PM EST Patinack Farm Crystal Mile(GROUP 2) 1600m $200,000
Looks to be heavy pace with Conquering, Rock Kingdom, Gathering and Poor Judge all cutting the breeze. I think Gold Salute can get a nice sit in behind the leaders and then pounce. Firebolt is a shot, while it's a last chance for Drumbeats.
Best bet
3. Gold Salute
12. Firebolt
2. Drumbeats
1. Rock Kingdom
Race 5. 3:20 PM EST Schweppes Stakes(GROUP 2) 1200m $300,000
Oh well what can we say? Black Caviar is a freak. Jumps, runs, wins. Can Hot Danish be beaten into second? Melito could probably can do it, while True Persuasion runs well here.
Best bet
6. Black Caviar
Strong chances
5. Melito
4. Hot Danish
3. True Persuasion
Trifecta shot
6.5.4, 6.5.3 or 6.4.3
Race 6. 4:00 PM EST AAMI Vase(GROUP 2) 2040m $200,000 Plus $10,000 SV Bonus
This is the lead-up to Derby. I have a feeling Bullbars is going to go very close. It had a good run in the Guineas on a leader/rail biased track, but is better suited here. Sydney horse Lion Tamer is a rough hope. Smokin Joey and Rekindle Interest are the next best.
Best bet
5. Bullbars
2. Lion Tamer
4. Smokin Joey
7. Rekindle Interest
Race 7. 4:40 PM EST Cathay Pacific Airways Cup(GROUP 2) 2500m $250,000
Precedence looks a good thing. Shinn was asleep at the wheel last start and missed the boat. The writing's on the wall for My Bentley after a great run in the Cranbourne Cup. The danger for me is that a host of roughies can lob into the hole.
Best bet
2. Precedence
Strong chances
12. My Bentley
9. Ajar
7. Irazu
Race 8. 5:35 PM EST Tatts Cox Plate(GROUP 1) 2040m $3,000,000
What you see is what you get in this year's Cox Plate. Bear witness to a freak - So You Think. Shootout and Whobegotyou are the run on dangers. Wall Street will stay with the leaders. However, So You Think will set your heart racing.
Best bet
5. So You Think
Strong chances
2. Whobegotyou
6. Shootout
4. Wall Street
Race 9. 6:20 PM EST Pulse Pharmacy Stakes(GROUP 3) 1600m $150,000
Happy to back the roughie Moment in Time at big odds. Has raced well on this track and can wind up late in the race. Katie Lee is the horse to to beat, while Strawberry Field is going well and should feature. Zantelagh is a blowout hope.
Best bet
3. Moment in Time
Strong chances
1. Katie Lee
5. Strawberry Field
16. Zantelagh
