TON OF CLASS
Top internationals, local all-stars vie for 100th Cox Plate
CHAMPION trainer Danny O’Brien has tempered expectations around Cox Plate favourite Russian Camelot.
O’Brien, who last year added the Melbourne Cup to his 2007 Caulfield Cup and 2013 Cox Plate triumphs, has nominated six hopefuls for the 100th Cox Plate at the Valley on October 24.
Russian Camelot is one of 182 nominations for the $5 million Cox Plate, which includes 51 Group 1 winners, 28 internationals and 56 three-year-olds.
Melbourne Cup champion Vow And Declare, VRC Oaks winner Miami Bound, King Of Leo grance, Order of the garter
and three-year-old Flying Award round out O’Brien’s team.
Russian Camelot surged to the top of spring markets after his runaway South Australian Derby win in May.
But O’Brien warned fans and racegoers to be “realistic about the form”.
“We need to consider what he does in the spring before we get too carried away,” O’Brien said.
“He’s had five starts and won a South Australian Derby ... generally not form that wins a Cox Plate.”
Russian Camelot has returned from a break in top order.
“We’re thrilled with the horse, just very realistic about what a jump it is from where he’s been to where we’re hoping he could get to,” O’Brien said.
“We don’t have a horse of the genuine weight-for-age profile in the stable.
“We’re hoping some might develop into it, but we haven’t got a horse at this stage you’d say has got a Cox Plate profile.”
Winx’s four-time Cox Plate-winning trainer Chris Waller boasts the largest contingent with 18 nominations.
West Australian ownerbreeder Bob Peters has entered five Cox Plate hopefuls, including Arcadia Queen.
Queensland cxcitement machine Alligator Blood, winner of the Australian Guineas at Flemington earlier in the year, is among the most notable entries, along with Tasmanian mare Mystic Journey.
The New Zealand-trained entries include Melody Belle, Probabeel, Quick Thinker and Jennifer Eccles.
Racing Victoria general manager Greg Carpenter welcomed the incredible diversity of the star-studded first nominations.
“The Cox Plate has by reputation indeed established itself as the premier weightfor-age race in the southern hemisphere,” Carpenter said.
“The quality of the entries ... is outstanding.”
Moonee Valley Racing
Club chief executive Michael Browell has commissioned a one-off 9ct gold Cox Plate owners trophy, valued at $200,000, to commemorate the 100th running of the race.
“We had grand plans and ambitions to really celebrate the carnival this year, but disappointingly with all that’s unfolded we have had to shelve a lot of those plans,” Browell said.
“I’m sure that (owners’ trophy) will take pride of place in any trophy cabinet either here in Australia or around the world.”
The winner of the Group 2 Feehan Stakes at the Valley on September 5 will receive a golden ticket into the Plate.