2020 Exford Plate Race Details

Race 2 at Flemington on Saturday 12 September 2020.

The Exford Plate is a 1400 metre set weights plus penalties race for three-year-olds run by the Victoria Racing Club in September. It is held at Flemington as part of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.

You can read more about the race history, lead-up races and past winners on the Exford Plate page.

Exford Plate 2020 Preview

Track: Wet    Weather: Rain

A field of thirteen three year olds are set to line up for this years edition of the Exford Plate – the prize money on offer is $140,000.

The impressive first up winner Immortal Love is the early favourite and is one start for one win here at Flemington.  Bartley comes down from Sydney after an impressive mid week win and the bookies haven’t missed her in the early markets – these Sydney siders have a habit of coming to Melbourne and performing very well.  The unbeaten Cherry Tortoni is his quest to win the Victoria Derby.  Crosshaven and So You Can are also under the $10-1 mark.

Look for an improved showing from Mick Price and Michael Kent’s colt National Choice who will relish the extra distance.  Crown Mint comes through the So You Can race in Adelaide and it will be interesting to see whether that form can hold up in Melbourne.  Khoekhoe is the other horse under $20-1.

2020 Exford Plate Runner by Runner

1. Immortal Love

Immortal Love won the group 3 McNeil stakes first up very impressively – he ran right through the line there and should only improve going up in trip.  He is proven this track and trip and in testing conditions – he is likely to face similar here.  The one to beat.

2. Rathlin

Had every chance in the McNeil and was well beaten.  Not for me.

3. Cherry Tortoni

An exciting colt resuming.  He has won all 3 starts and one of the big favourites to win the Victoria Derby.  With that in mind I wouldn’t think he would be fully wound up for this .  Look for him finishing late.

4. Tanker

Finished 5th in Adelaide last time out.  This is too hard.

5. Khoekhoe

Khoekhoe will take good improvement from his first up run in the McNeil Stakes – he was okay there.  However he has now been well beaten by Immortal Love at his last two outings and it is hard to see him turning the tables on that horse.  Can run into the placings.

6. Crosshaven

This horse was heavily heavily backed at good odds first up behind Immortal Love.  He was starting to build the revs late in the race before getting badly tightened.  Will only improve with fitness and onto his home track for the first time.  Looks to be a good opportunity to push forward from the wide gate with little speed in the race and if they do he will give them something to catch.

7. Aim – SCRATCHED

8. Bartley

Bartley makes the trip down from Sydney.  He is stepping up from benchmark grade but I loved the way he put his rivals away at Wawrick Farm.  If he can handle the going he is right in this.

9. Crown Mint

Gordon Richards must be respected when he brings his horse over from South Australia – especially when he books leading jockey Craig Williams.  Expect this horse to run well but it might just be lacking the class to be a serious winning chance.

10. So you can

He started odds on in Adelaide and justified that price with a good 1 length win.  With Damien Oliver booked I am expecting him to run well.

11. Johnny Get Angry

Showed some talent behind the likes of Cherry Tortoni in his first prep but with the Derby in mind I expect this race to be a “pipe opener” for this horse.  Look for him once he steps up in trip.

12. Iron Edge

Finished off well in a Sale maiden first up.  His second to Flying Award reads well but I thought he might be looking for longer now.

13. National Choice

A horse with talent.  He got hopelessly shuffled back in the McNeil Stakes but started to get moving late.  From a wide gate and a race that looks devout of speed it will take a big effort for him to win.  Perhaps look for him 3rd up back to his home track Caulfield.

The Exford Plate 2020 Tips

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

Jo’s Tips
Lewis’ Tips
3 Cherry Tortoni 1.  Immortal Love
1  Immortal Love 8. Bartley
8 Bartley 7. Crosshaven
7 Crosshaven 3. Cherry Tortoni

Previews for other races this week

2020 Exford Plate Results

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratchings were  4. Tanker, 6. Aim.

Result Horse Margin
1st 7. Crosshaven
2nd 8. Bartley 1.5 lengths
3rd 3. Cherry Tortoni 2.3 lengths
4th 9. Crown Mint 2.4 lengths