Weir star has form to place

IN a normal year, after victory in the Caulfield Stakes Gailo Chop would be vying for favouritism in the Cox Plate.

But this year he has to deal with Winx, who is aiming for her third consecutive win in Saturday’s Group 1 feature at Moonee Valley.

Saturday will be Gailo Chop’s second attempt at Cox Plate riches. His first was in 2015 when he finished eighth, 12½ lengths behind Winx. With the final field declared, Gailo Chop is equal second favourite at $18 with Winx at $1.15.

He is now a dual Group 1 winner having claimed the Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington a week after his initial Cox Plate performance but he has been dogged by injury.

After his Mackinnon success, he returned to France where he was trained by Antoine de Watrigant, contesting the Dubai Sheema Classic in March last year when he suffered a tendon injury.

He returned to Australia for his rehabilitation and Darren Weir has overseen his preparation, which includes two wins from five starts.

Weir says Gailo Chop has improved off his last-start victory, but concedes it is going to take a monumental performance to topple Winx.

“He’s continued to improve with each run and he’s going to present there in great shape,” he said.

“Strange things can happen as they all can get beaten.

“But I hope she doesn’t get beaten for racing’s sake, but you just never know in racing.

“It is a horse race.”