Cox Plate – 2021

Track: Slow Weather: Showers

There are ten runners set to line up in this years $5,000,000 Group 1 Cox Plate.   Two had their last start in the Epsom Handicap at Randwick, two ran in the Caulfield Stakes and the two three year olds ran the quinella in the Caulfield Guineas.  Probabeel is the only horse that ran in last years race, she finished seventh.

Annabel Neasham’s Zaaki has been the favourite in Cox Plate futures markets for months so it was no surprise to see him open favourite once the final field was announced on Tuesday.  He has won five of his last six and has been set for this race since the beginning of his preparation.  The Godolphin colt Anamoe is currently second favourite.  He was impressive winning the Caulfield Guineas last start and is aiming to be the first three year old to win the Cox Plate since Shamus Award in 2013.

Verry Elleegant is a terrific mare who put in a rare poor performance at Flemington last start.  She loves soft ground and is capable of bouncing back here.    Gold Trip and State Of Rest are European horses having their first run in Australia.  Probabeel upset Zaaki in the Caulfield Stakes last start, while Mo’unga looks well drawn in barrier four for Hugh Bowman.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

1. Zaaki

Boom horse trained by Annabel Neasham.  Had won five in a row prior to being upset as a very short priced favourite in the Caulfield Stakes behind Probabeel last start.  Gets James McDonald back on for this and a faster tempo here which could be the key.  Major player.

2. Dalasan

Five year old entire who was second in the South Australian Derby as a three year old.  It’s been a while since he has won but he has been beaten less than a length in the Group 1 Doncaster, Queen Elizabeth and Epsom in the last six months.  Consider for multiples.

3. Gold Trip

Ex European now under the care of Ciaron Maher & David Eustace.  His overseas form is very strong.  He was fourth in last years Arc De Triomphe and has been Group 1 placed at his last two starts in France.  This stable won this race last year in very similar circumstances with Sir Dragonet.  Oliver booked to ride. Watch betting.

4. Callsign Mav

Talented gelding who has won his last two by narrow margins in New Zealand.  Unproven at the distance.  This looks a big test.

5. Mo’unga

Stable mate to race favourite Zaaki.  Defeated Verry Elleegant in the Winx Stakes first up, then was a narrow second to Incentivise in the Makybe Diva.  Looks set to peak fourth up here with Hugh Bowman down from Sydney to ride.  Roughie with a chance.

6. Verry Elleegant

9 x Group 1 winning mare trained by Chris Waller.  Won last years Caulfield Cup.  Had no luck but still found a way to win the Group 1 George Main Stakes on September 18, then jumped favourite against Incentivise in the Turnbull and laboured into fourth.  The early marked support suggests she is capable of bouncing back here.  Don’t discount.

7. Probabeel

Was a good seventh in this race last year despite racing on a soft track which is not her go.  Was second to Zaaki in the Underwood, then turned the tables on him to win the Caulfield Stakes over 2000m last start.  Drawn well here but I don’t think she wants the track getting any worse than a soft 6 if she is to be a genuine winning chance.

8. State Of Rest

Irishmen John Allen and Joseph O’Brien combine with State Of Rest.  He has two wins and three placings from eight starts and won the Group 1 Derby Invitational in the US on August 7.  Has finished outside of the placings in both runs on wet ground which is some query but is clearly talented and has to be respected here.

9. Anamoe

Dual Group 1 winning three year old who has only finished outside of the placings once in ten starts.  Ran a terrific second in the Golden Rose, then powered over the top of the them in the Caulfield Guineas last start.  Toughest test yet, especially from the widest barrier, but with just 49.5kg’s on his back he will have plenty of fans again here.

10. Captivant

Second of the three year olds.  Won the Group 1 Champagne Stakes over 1600m as a two year old and was a very strong second behind Anamoe in the Caulfield Guineas last start.  Expect him to settle in the first four or five from barrier one.  In the mix.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
1. Zaaki	1. Zaaki
6. Verry Elleegant	3. Gold Trip
9. Anamoe	9. Anamoe
8. State Of Rest	2. Dalasan

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	8. State Of Rest
2nd	9. Anamoe	0.1 length
3rd	6. Verry Elleegant	1.1 lengths
4th	5. Mo’unga	4.1 lengths

The track was rated as Soft 5.

Scratchings: 1. Zaaki, 3. Gold Trip.

Protest 2nd v 1st dismissed.