On Track - Spring 2020 Edition

9 4. SUPER IMPOSE 1992 For drama, the 1992 Cox Plate is unmatched. On paper, it was a vintage Cox Plate with the likes of champions such as Let’s Elope, Better Loosen Up, Super Impose, Mannerism, Sydeston and Rough Habit taking part. That said, most of them though were now past their prime and taking on a rising star in Naturalism, who looked to have their measure and was subsequently sent out a $2 favourite. With 600m to go, Palace Reign fell, and Naturalism and Sydeston lost their riders in the incident. It was mayhem. As racegoers were trying to digest what had just happened, there was more chaos to come in the closing stages as in the straight it was every man for themselves in the closing stages, with horses shifting in and out. Let’s Elope veered in and interfered with several runners including Better Loosen Up and Prince Salieri. While all this was going on, Greg Hall on Super Impose, who had been out the back, sailed past his rivals to win at $17. The race was so good a Melbourne independent band Mr. Floppy put out a song entitled the 1992 Cox Plate on one of its albums, with several commentators’ versions of the fall and then the finish spliced into a song. It was an interesting experience to see them play it live – fair to say it didn’t translate that well to the music punters. 99 RUNNINGS, ONLY ONE W.S. COX PLATE 5. MIGHT AND POWER 1998 For an awesome, jaw-dropping powerhouse display to win a Cox Plate, nothing matches Might and Powers win. As race caller Bryan Martin called - “the earth started to rumble” - when he won and so did the stands as he smashed the track record in a time of 2:03.07 seconds. He was a champion at the top of his game having also won the Caulfield Cup by seven and a half lengths and led throughout to win the Melbourne Cup the year prior. 6. BONECRUSHER 1986 The 1986 race was a one-off Cox Plate when the two Kiwis decided to stage a match race, taking off with 1000m to go and slugging it out. One second Bonecrusher had the advantage, the next Our Waverley Star and so on and on until they hit the finishing line. Bonecrusher called on all his reserves to win by a neck. Again, Bill Collins’ call added another dimension to the race. He was also out of tickets by the end of the race but managed to force out the unforgettable line “and Bonecrusher races into equine immortality.” Greg Hall salutes aboard Super Impose “The Earth Starts to Rumble” – Might and Power The famous 1986 W.S. Cox Plate duel