On Track Magazine Spring 2021

6 Before Annabel Neasham even set foot in Australia in 2016, she knew the Cox Plate was one of the most famous races in the world. To her astonishment, Neasham is training the favourite for the Cox Plate – with another export from Great Britain in Zaaki – at the start of her second season as a trainer. “It’s a race that goes beyond Australia. It’s a race on a global stage, and it certainly is one of the most famous races in the world. It’s an iconic race,” Neasham said. “I’m extremely privileged to have a horse even going towards a race like that, let alone be favourite.” She knows this from her own experience in Australia, having worked for two of Australia’s most successful stables and how hard it is even to have a runner in the famous race held at The Valley. When Neasham arrived in Australia, she initially worked for Gai Waterhouse, who didn’t manage a Cox Plate runner that year. Then in her three years working for Ciaron Maher and Dave Eustace, they also didn’t manage to have a Cox Plate runner. Three months after she left them to start her own stable, they had their first runner and winner with Sir Dragonet last year. Neasham got caught up in the excitement, knowing the magnitude of their achievement in winning Australia’s weight-for-age middle distance championship. “I’m close to Dave. I lived with him in Melbourne. After he and Ciaron won last year, I Facetimed Dave, and there he is with the Cox Plate in the background in his kitchen. He was over the moon.” ANNABEL HOPES FOR A BLESSED COX PLATE DEBUT By Michael Manl ey Zaaki and James MacDonald reunited for Ladbrokes Cox Plate tilt