For those who know little of Australian racing, the Cox Plate is concidered the Weight For Age championship of this part of the world. It's a race that's been won by the true heavyweights of the past, among them, Phar Lap, Mayke Diva, So You Think, Bonecrusher, Tulloch, Kingston Town etc. The race is run on the unique Moonee Valley course in Melbourne, a track that measures just 1805m in circumference and has a straight of only 173m.
The race is run over 2040m and is worth $3,000,000, it's also one of the most hotly contested races in the country. With about a half mile to travel, things will begin to really heat up. Down a small incline and onto the bend, the guns will all be drawn. This where the men will be sorted from the boys, so to speak. On the corner, it will usually be down to only a couple with the better chances.
Not only is the race unique in itself, so too is the barrier draw to the event. When a horse is drawn, the trainer gets to select a barrier for the animal. It can create havoc. It happened this week with More Joyous and her trainer Gai Waterhouse, and the horse's owner, media magnate John Singleton. Before hand, Singleton asked Waterhouse to get somewhere around the 4,5,6 slot if she had the chance. As it turned out, More Joyous was the first name out of the "hat." Waterhouse elected to place the animal in the 11 hole. Singleton spat. "I love Gai but this is bloody madness," he said. He added. "This isn't death, it is suicide," Singleton said. "It will be almost impossible for her to win now. He pointed out that only 8 horses in the last 70 years have win from there or further out. With 10 G1 winners in the the field, and having already amassed about $25,000,000 between them in stakes, the race is something to savor.
Hopefully the race can be seen at 3:15 Eastern Daylight Summer Time on the link below.
http://www.racingnetwork.com.au/?ref=Net-Header-Sport-HorseRacing
The race is run over 2040m and is worth $3,000,000, it's also one of the most hotly contested races in the country. With about a half mile to travel, things will begin to really heat up. Down a small incline and onto the bend, the guns will all be drawn. This where the men will be sorted from the boys, so to speak. On the corner, it will usually be down to only a couple with the better chances.
Not only is the race unique in itself, so too is the barrier draw to the event. When a horse is drawn, the trainer gets to select a barrier for the animal. It can create havoc. It happened this week with More Joyous and her trainer Gai Waterhouse, and the horse's owner, media magnate John Singleton. Before hand, Singleton asked Waterhouse to get somewhere around the 4,5,6 slot if she had the chance. As it turned out, More Joyous was the first name out of the "hat." Waterhouse elected to place the animal in the 11 hole. Singleton spat. "I love Gai but this is bloody madness," he said. He added. "This isn't death, it is suicide," Singleton said. "It will be almost impossible for her to win now. He pointed out that only 8 horses in the last 70 years have win from there or further out. With 10 G1 winners in the the field, and having already amassed about $25,000,000 between them in stakes, the race is something to savor.
Hopefully the race can be seen at 3:15 Eastern Daylight Summer Time on the link below.
http://www.racingnetwork.com.au/?ref=Net-Header-Sport-HorseRacing
There is a lot of chat about how the race is going to be run and Gai's three runners are the hot topic. Will they press forward or go back. After taking 11 for MJ, you have to wonder if she will be hooked back, or be given the rev up out wide, and clear of the other runners.
and a great ride from the jockey - timed it to perfection.