There is no Winx so the 2019 edition of the Ladbrokes Cox Plate is a very open betting race with plenty of chances.
Of course the focus is on the feature race of the day however there is plenty of quality racing taking place at The Valley and we are here to give you a leg up.
Our full preview of Cox Plate day can be found below.
Tough way to start the day with a lot of younf horses who have not yet been to the races. I’m happy to be with the horse with the racing experience and Graham Begg who knows how to produce an early running type.
Esperance hasn’t been seen on the race track for almost a year however he has had three impressive trials leading into this first up assignment. He is a lightly raced gelding with a fair amount of ability and he can get the job done here for us early in the day.
Fascino is a lightly raced filly who has a stack of ability. Her second behind Moonlight Maid in the Edward Manifold was excellent and she should handle The Valley well. One of my best of the card.
Villami chased home the very smart Libertini in Sydney before heading south and being narrowly denied by Loving Gaby at The Valley last start. James Mcdonald will have to be at his very best to get her as soft a run as possible from barrier 10 but there’s no one else I’d rather have on board.
Hard to go past Condo’s Express after his dominant win at The Valley when he was last here despite a tricky barrier to overcome. Anything over $3.50 looks juicy to me in this race.
Loved the way this guy loomed up to them at Flemington last start and he looked the winner for a long way until Warning got him late. The step up to 2040m looks ideal and I think he is the best prospect from this field going forward whatever he does in this race.
He had a horror run of it in the Caulfield Cup last weekend but he picked himself up of the turf and finished off extremely strong. He has been racing in the top grade for this entire prep and he will appreciate the step back in class here. Looks very hard to beat so long as he finds clear running around The Valley.
Teo Nugent went a little early on Pacodali the last time he was seen at The Valley over the 1600m and it cost the gelding the win in my opinion. I like the fact that he will settle near the speed and his finishing sectionals behind Rox The Castle at Caulfield last start has me very keen on him in this at double figure odds.
What a great race this is shaping to be. I see no speed in this race and I therefor think Homesman represents fantastic value. He is as tough as the day is long and if he can have them off the bit heading around the turn he will be extremely hard to get to. Loves The Valley.
I am big wrap on Kolding who took out the Epsom Handicap and Te Akau Shark was only narrowly denied behind him. The Shark has been progressing along really well and although the 2000m and wide barrier conern me, I think he is a knock out chance.
Music Bay is a lovely looking mare and she is equally as tough. She loomed up at Flemington like the winner but was a little flat before she picked back up and found the line nicely. She is a Group 2 winner in Adelaide over the mile and she should handle The Valley well. Give her strength in the last.