Racing Preview – Sat 24 Oct

Cox Plate – Moonee Valley
Moonee Valley hosts Australia’s most prestigious weight-for-age race, the Cox Plate. There is a quality 9 event programme with the Group 1 Cox Plate, four Group 2, two Group 3 and a Listed race. The $3,000,000 Tatts Cox Plate over 2040 metres has a capacity field of 14, and not a mare or filly amongst them. Gai Waterhouse is the only trainer with more than one runner, with the connections of Epsom winner Rock Kingdom paying a late entry fee of $130,000 to get him in the race. Gai’s other runner is three-year-old colt Manhattan Rain. The only other three-year-old runner is Bart Cummings So You Think.

Whobegotyou is a clear favourite in the early betting at $3, but only 2 favourites have won in the last 10 years. Next in the market is Heart Of Dreams at $5.50, Speed Gifted at $10, So You Think at $13, El Segundo at $15, Black Piranha at $16, then Rock Kingdom, Zipping and Scenic Shot all at $17. Many horses find Moonee Valley a tricky track to race on, but Whobegotyou has won 4 from 4 here and may be able to make it 5 from 5. Rock Kingdom is expected to go well, and Vision And Power ($18) could fly home late for a placing.

Jo’s tips: 1. Whobegotyou, 2. Rock Kingdom 3. Vision And Power

Cathay Pacific Airways Cup – Moonee Valley
The Group 2 $250,000 Cathay Pacific Airways Cup over 2500 metres has a full field of 15 plus 1 emergency. It is a set eight plus penalties race for four-year-olds and upwards. The favourite in the early market is Hissing Sid who has 6 wins and 5 placings from 18 starts. Next in the market is Lodge The Deeds at $4.50, Ista Kareem and Miss Darcey both at $6.50, Ready To Lift at $9 and Think Money at $13.

Ista Kareem is nine-years-old but loves this track and always does well at the distance. He put in a good run at his last start on 3 Oct when he ran 4th to Light Vision and could surprise. Hissing Sid has been performing well in good company, and Lodge The Deeds has ran 2nd at his last 3 starts.

Jo’s tips: 1. Ista Kareem, 2. Hissing Sid, 3. Lodge The Deeds

Schweppes Stakes – Moonee Valley
The Group 2 $200,000 Schweppes Stakes over 1200 metres is a standard weight-for-age race and has a field of 9 runners. The favourite in the early market is Lucky Secret at $3.20 ahead of Apache Cat at $3.70. Next in the market are Mic Mac and Ortensia both at $7.50, Light Fantastic at $8.50, Duporth at $9 then Bank Robber and Danleigh both at $10.

Lucky Secret should win again. He has won 7 from 9 at this track and beat Apache Cat by over 2 lengths last time with the same weights. Mic Mac beat Whobegotyou 3 starst back, and this is his best distance. Apache Cat is a wonderful horse who never gives up.

Jo’s tips: 1. Lucky Secret, 2. Mic Mac, 3. Apache Cat

Next week racing moves to Flemington for AAMI Victoria Derby Day (Sat), the 2009 Melbourne Cup (Tues) and Crown Oaks Day (Thurs).