On Track Magazine Spring 2021

10 LADBROKES COX PLATE PREVIEW TO FINAL FIELD The countdown to Australia’s Best Race is on, and while it has been the race everyone has been talking about since the moment Sir Dragonet crossed the line last year, the recent weekend’s racing has taken discussions to a whole new level again. The current Ladbrokes Cox Plate favourite Zaaki had his colours lowered in a cracking edition of the Might And Power Stakes, and it was the New Zealand mare Probabeel who conquered. An outstanding 4 th career Group 1 success for the new queen at Te Akau Racing, and that victory put to rest any doubts that Probabeel could run a strong 2000 metres. For fans of Zaaki, it was a disappointing result. After all, his dominant $1.28 starting price suggested he would go out and just win – but it was a welcome reminder to all that anything can happen in the great game of racing, and that is what makes our sport so great. It was a tactical affair in just a small field of five. A stop-start tempo where the hot pot never looked comfortable, and true to his name Homesman went for the doctor a long way out and caught Zaaki off guard. It was the very definition of a sit and sprint race, and thus Annabel Neasham remained upbeat about her stable star’s chances during the week. Speaking on RSN radio, she was adamant that Zaaki could bounce back with a more genuine tempo around The Valley. With regular rider and 2021 Champion Group 1 Jockey of the Year James McDonald booked to ride, it is hard to disagree. Spoilt for choice so early in her career, Neasham will also saddle up multiple Group 1 winning entire Mo’unga, who looks more than ready to tackle 2000m fourth up. At only his 12 th start, he, unfortunately, had to carry topweight in the Epsom Handicap, but a brave effort there would have connections hoping that he can become Savabeel’s fifth Cox Plate winner. StarcoltAnamoewasabrilliant victorof theCaulfield Guineas, and he has put his name up in lights as one of the key chances in this year’s Ladbrokes Cox Plate. The dual Group 1 winning three-year-old will carry just 49.5kg with Craig Williams booked to ride, and he looks to be Godolphin’s best chance in the Cox Plate to date, with the international racing giants still yet to land Australia’s best race. Champion mare Verry Elleegant will be shooting for her 10 th Group 1 victory, and she has proven to be the benchmark weight-for-age performer in Australia for many seasons now. Like Zaaki, she comes into this year’s Ladbrokes Cox Plate off a sub-par performance by her lofty standards. Still, she ran fourth last Spring at a similar quote before winning two Group 1’s in quick succession, one of them that awesome Caulfield Cup performance. By Ben Caluzzi