Draw a barrier for Te Akau Shark
New Zealand gallopers Te Akau Shark and Verry Elleegant have been included in the 14-horse field for the A$5 million Group I Cox Plate on Saturday.
Te Akau Shark was in danger of missing a start but has been included with dual Cox Plate placegetter Humidor named first emergency.
But Te Akau Shark will have to contend with the outside barrier, with no horse having won from barrier 14 in the 99-year history of Australasia’s 2040m weight-for-age championship.
While pleased with making the field, trainer Jamie Richards was disheartened with the draw.
‘‘It’s going to be difficult from there, especially when it is his first time at weight-for age in Australia,’’ he said.
‘‘He’s going to need to be at his best, but we are happy with him and hopefully we can give them a shake. We shouldn’t be unlucky from out there.’’
The son of Rip Van Winkle worked over 1200m at Moonee Valley yesterday and Richards is trying to find a silver lining to his gelding’s wide gate. ‘‘The horse worked well – he will appreciate a little bit of room,’’ Richards said.
‘‘He usually gets back and I think around the Valley a little bit of room is going to suit him. He’s going the right way. It is a big step up for him, but we are here, and this has been the aim.’’
The five-year-old chestnut heads into the race in good form, having finished runner-up in each of his three starts this preparation, including a shortmargin defeat to Kolding in the Epsom Handicap (1600m).
‘‘If we had won the Epsom he looks one of the favourites. He has run second, not beaten far, but he is going the right way.’’
While connections of Te Akau Shark are celebrating his opportunity to take on the best weight-for-age gallopers in this part of the world, prominent New Zealand owner John Carter, who shares in the ownership of Verry Elleegant and Humidor, had mixed feelings after the former gained a start but the latter was named first emergency.
‘‘She deserved to get in, but I think it is a disgrace that he didn’t,’’ Carter said.
NZ Racing Desk