G1 W.S Cox Plate - history at Moonee Valley
Nine horses, five Group 1 winners of 18 Group 1 races. Six multi-millionaires. Horses who between them have accumulated over $42.3 million in stakes.
The weight-for-age race of the year, the G1 W.S Cox Plate.
A race first run in 1922 to support the Moonee Valley Gold Cup, the day's feature for decades, the W.S Cox Plate really took off in the 1970s due much to the explosive performance of Dulcify (NZ) (Decies {GB}) and the efforts of visionaries such as Bill Stutt and Ian McEwen.
Watch: Dulcify's (NZ) Cox Plate victory in 1979
But it has always been a race for the best; each decade providing memorable winners. In the 1920s it was won by the likes of Manfred and Heroic and in the 1930s by Ajax and Chatham and of course on two occasions by the legend that is Phar Lap (NZ) (Night Raid {GB}).
A couple of the all time great mares in Flight (Royal Step) and Tranquil Star (Gay Lothario {GB}) recorded dual Cox Plate victories during the 1940s whilst the following decade saw the great Rising Fast (NZ) (Alonzo {GB}) make a clean sweep of Melbourne's three majors.
The 60s kicked off with a bang courtesy of the champion Tulloch (NZ) with another famed galloper in Tobin Bronze saluting in 1966 and 1967. Gunsynd, Surround (NZ) (Sovereign Edition {Ire}) and the tragic Dulcify were highlights of the 1970s whilst the first three years of the 1980s belonged to the mighty Kingston Town (Bletchingly).
The 1986 edition earned the title of 'race of the century,' that oh so memorable Bonecrusher (NZ) (Pag Asa)/Our Waverley Star (NZ) (Star Way {GB}) clash and there was no sense of let down the following year with the domination of Rubiton.
Watch: Rubiton's Cox Plate triumph in 1987
The 1990s are always looked back on fondly by racegoers and it was certainly a golden era for the Cox Plate; Better Loosen Up (Loosen Up {USA}), Super Impose (NZ) (Imposing), Octagonal (NZ), Saintly (Sky Chase {NZ}), Might And Power (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and Sunline (NZ) (Desert Sun {GB}); wow!
The new century kicked off with another win for Sunline then another double by the fighting tiger Northerly (Serheed {USA}) and a couple of wins, three years apart, for the warrior Fields Of Omagh (Rubiton).
So You Think (NZ) displayed his greatness in 2009 and 2010 and five years later history was made; the 1, 2, 3, 4 for the one and only Winx (Street Cry {Ire}).
So who adds their name to this historic honour roll this year? Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) would certainly be a worthy winner having gone so close last year; Anamoe just two years ago going one better off a previous year's second whilst others to have achieved this feat include Solvit (NZ) (Morcon {GB}) and Our Poetic Prince.
Mr Brightside has the blinkers back on; he has won with them on before, but it does bring to mind the day David Hayes decided to put blinkers on his Cox Plate contender; at the age of nine at his final start Fields Of Omagh (Rubiton) to seal a memorable victory.
Mr Brightside has been out of the quinella only once in six Moonee Valley starts and is one of just three contestants to have experience at the track; Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) and the 3-year-old Evaporate (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) who is three from three on the Strathayr.
Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) added international interest last year and this time around we have his form line represented not only by Mr Brightside but also by Prognosis (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) who was second to him in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. at Sha Tin in late April.
Docklands (GB) (Massaat {Ire}) was out of his form at his most recent outing but before that was second in the G1 Queen Anne S. behind Charyn (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) who has won another two Group 1 races since.
Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) has her well-publicised mishap on Tuesday morning to overcome but is racing in great heart, taking the same G1 Turnbull S. path as did her stable mate Winx on two occasions. And Broadsiding (Too Darn Hot {GB}) is trying to emulate So You Think whose first Cox Plate victory came on the back of a good finish just behind the placegetters in the G1 Caulfield Guineas.
It's a helluva race as it always is, bring it on!
G1 Spring Champion S.- a field dominated by High Chaparral
First run in 1971, this Group 1 1200-metre contest for 3-year-olds has some very nice horses on its honour roll, won by the likes of Kingston Town (his first elite level victory), Sir Dapper, Beau Zam (NZ), Stylish Century, Danewin, Tie The Knot (Nassipour {USA}), Savabeel and Dundeel (NZ).
High Chaparral (Ire) has enjoyed his share of success in this race with Sharp 'N' Smart (NZ) (Redwood {GB}), Ace High, Dundeel and Monaco Consul (NZ) and six of this year's 11 runners are from that sire line.
The 2012 winner Dundeel has two runners; Henlein who has drawn better than he did when getting back in the G3 Gloaming S. and Duvana who was also unplaced in that lead-up and better suited by the longer journey here.
Dundeel also has an in-form grandson lining up, El Castello (Castelvecchio) hard to beat on the back of his three consecutive wins including the Gloaming.
High Chaparral's best son So You Think is damsire of the Gloaming placegetter Firm Agreement (Yes Yes Yes) whilst So You Think's G1 Rosehill Guineas winner D'Argento has three runners; Due Calzini, Flying Argento and Rag Queen.
The Danehill (USA) sireline also has a good Spring Champion record with nine winners; Maid Of Heaven (Smart Missile), Hampton Court, Erewhon (Commands), Platinum Scissors, Viking Ruler, Fairway (Danzero), Magic Of Sydney, Nothin' Leica Dane and Danewin.
It has three representatives this year; the favourite Swiftfalcon (Exceedance) as well as Pleasure Artist (Trapeze Artist) and Noises (Microphone).
G2 Moonee Valley Vase - Derby form
First run in 1983 and won by Centaine, the Moonee Valley Vase was contested three times as a 1600-metre race until 1986 when, in an attempt to make it a viable G1 VRC Derby lead-up, it was changed to its current distance of 2040-metre.
The plan came to fruition straight away; its winner Raveneaux at his next start taking out the Derby.
Another four of its winners have gone onto success in that Flemington Classic - Blevic, Efficient (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), Helenus and Plastered (Laranto) whilst Kempinsky and Elvstroem finished one/two at Moonee Valley and the other way around in the Derby. And last year's winner Apulia (Fiorente {Ire}) was only just beaten at Flemington.
Jameka (Myboycharlie {Ire}) went onto to G1 VRC Oaks (and later G1 Caulfield Cup) success whilst Naturalism and Gold Guru (Geiger Counter {USA}) both won the G1 AJC Derby. Another five won other Group 1 races - Kenny's Best Pal, Whobegotyou (Street Cry {Ire}), Super Cool (Fastnet Rock), Diatribe and Crush (NZ) (Crested Wave {USA}).
A couple of promising types by Dundeel vie for favouritism this year; the easy last-start Ballarat maiden winner Politely Dun and the Listed Super Impose S. runner-up Red Aces. And fellow High Chaparral-line horse King Of Thunder (NZ) (Tivaci) seems to be crying out for the extra ground after several nice performances over 1600 metres.
The 3-year-old sprinters- Red Anchor S. and the William Crockett
The second race on the Moonee Valley card is the G3 Red Anchor S. and the third is the Listed William Crockett S.; both 1200-metre races for the 3-year-olds.
The Red Anchor S. has not always run on this day (September its initial home) and for a number of years it was known as the C.S Hayes S.; reverting its original name (one which honours one of the best 3-year-olds to win the G1 W.S Cox Plate) a few years ago.
It has on seven occasions been won by horses who have gone onto Group 1 glory; Sound The Alarm (Just Awesome), Yell (Anabaa {USA}), Holler, Spartacus, Clay Hero, Rubiton and Portland Sky whilst last year's winner Archo Nacho (Sioux Nation {USA}) is a recent Hong Kong winner, now racing as Magic Control.
Favourite for this year's running is the Sydney galloper Ikasara (I Am Invincible) who joins the local Brandjam (Alabama Express) as a talented front-runner.
Brandjam is already proven at the track whilst Bittercreek (Snitzel) was second in Listed company at Moonee Valley in late March; running into Growing Empire (Zoustar). An up-and-comer worth keeping an eye on is Winnasedge (Cliff's Edge) whose sire (who showed a fondness for Moonee Valley) has been in great form with his small group of 3-year-olds.
The William Crockett for the fillies has its most famous winner (in 2009) the mighty Black Caviar (Bel Esprit).
Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr have taken out the last two runnings with Gumdrops (Written Tycoon) and Wee Nessy (Snitzel) and this year saddle up two chances at nice odds; Tessa's Choice (Extreme Choice) and Spring Air (Brazen Beau) who both come off tough maiden victories having covered ground.
It is another horse coming off a maiden win who looks like starting favourite, Certain Rise (Written Tycoon) dominant with an all the way victory at Mornington having been a debut second to subsequent stakes winner Lofty Arch (Snitzel).
G3 Tesio S. - a great way to end a great day
The traditional final race on W.S Cox Plate Day, the G3 Tesio S. has a change in distance this year; run since its inception in 1990 as a 1600-metre event, it is now to be run over 2040 metres.
As is so often the case with mares races, the field is an even one with plenty of chances; favouritism going to Firestorm (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}) who drops in class having found the line well in the G1 Epsom H.
Another mare to have contested a big one at her latest outing is Wishlor Lass (Mshawish {USA}) who attempts to become the second mare to win this race twice. Her run in the G1 Toorak H. was sound and she was only second-up there having previously been a game second to the talented Another Wil (Street Boss {USA}) in the Listed Testa Rossa S.
The only other mare to have won this race twice is the Tasmanian Lady Lynette (Ladoni {GB}) whose 2009 and 2010 successes came on the days that So You Think (NZ) won his two Cox Plates.
Private Legacy (The Autumn Sun) has won just the one race so far but looks nicely primed third-up off her strong finishing G3 Ladies Day Vase second, a race in which Lady Jones (Toronado {Ire}) was also competitive.
The Pinker Pinker S. at Cranbourne is another form reference here; that race won by its leader Lievore (Epaulette).
Suavito (NZ) (Thorn Park), La Bella Dama (Desert Sun {GB}), Spectrum (Old Spice), Miss Margaret (Marscay), Centisle (NZ) (Centaine), Our Marquise (NZ) (Gold And Ivory {USA}) are Tesio winners who went on to win Group 1 races.
The latter is one of the 11 Tesio winners to go onto stakes-producing broodmare careers, her daughter Shower Of Roses (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) winning the G1 Arrowfield Stud S.
The Moonee Valley support card - plenty of action
There is plenty more of interest at Moonee Valley on Saturday, one of the early features being the G2 Fillies Classic; a 1600-metre fillies contest which has had a varied history.
Won last year by Skybird (Exosphere), it sees the Sydney filly Polymnia (Dundeel {NZ}) open favourite on the back of her strong finishes in recent times. Cavity Bay (Cable Bay {Ire}) comes back in trip but still looks nicely placed to run well and she has the right silks for Cox Plate Day; those of the mighty Makybe Diva (GB) (Desert King {Ire})!
The G2 Ian McEwen S. is another new addition to the day which in the past has hosted other feature sprints. It was in September when won last year by Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) and others on its honour roll include Testa Rossa, Hay List (Statue Of Liberty {USA}), Buffering (Mossman), Chautauqua (Encosta De Lago) and Nature Strip (as well as his sire Nicconi).
The Perth sprinter Oscar's Fortune (Rich Enuff) is favourite on the back of his game G2 Schillaci S. second, a race in which Mornington Glory (Shalaa {Ire}) did not have much luck; and he loves Moonee Valley.
The G2 Crystal Mile has long been a feature of the day, won once by a subsequent Cox Plate winner; Solvit (NZ) (Morcon {GB}) in 1992. Nugget (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) is a leading contender this year having not had the best of luck in the G1 Epsom H.
The imported galloper Royal Champion (Ire) (Shamardal {USA}) is expected to improved by his local debut whilst the Listed Paris Lane H. quinella of Uncle Bryn (GB) (Sea The Stars {ire}) and Plenty Of Ammo (Rebel Raider) can again feature.
There is also plenty of interest in support of the Spring Champion at Randwick; the Listed Brian Crowley S. for the sprinting 3-year-olds, the G2 Callander-Presnell for the 3-year-old milers, the G3 Craven Plate for the older horses and the big prizemoney races, The Invitation and the Five Diamonds Prelude.