Cox Plate News

Helmet & Jimmy favoured for Plate

Kerrin McEvoy gave Helmet a strong push at a recent 2040club lunch held in September.

The Cox Plate has become an even greater puzzle following a mystifying weekend, both on and off the track.

Star three year old Helmet surged to favouritism for our best race after a tough win in the Caulfield Guineas.

In what was considered a vintage edition of the time-honoured race, Helmet managed to hold off the late challenge of Golden Rose winner Manawanui to record his third Group 1 victory.

He now heads into the Cox Plate a clear favourite over Kiwi galloper Jimmy Choux, a last start winner of New Zealand’s premier weight for age affair, the Spring Classic.

The Caulfield Stakes, with similar conditions to the Cox Plate, is generally considered to be a top lead up for Australia’s weight for age championship.

This was expected again this year, with Underwood Stakes winner Lion Tamer, Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes runner up Alcopop, George Main Stakes winner Sincero  and Kingston Town Classic winner Playing God amongst the fancies.

However, in what has to be regarded as one of the most bizarre races of the spring to date, Descarado controlled the tempo and under a brilliant ride from Nash Rawiller maintained his advantage to defeat Avienus.

Lights of Heaven was third.

The race was notable for the flops of Lion Tamer, who was second favourite for the Cox Plate before Saturday, and Alcopop, who is likely to miss the remainder of the spring.

Sydney star Sincero looked beaten and was set to finish a distant last around the home turn before he managed to rally.

He finished a respectable fifth, and will now push on towards the Cox Plate.

The Toorak Handicap has not been a good guide to the Cox Plate, with only Tobin Bronze able to complete the double in 1967.

It appears that this year’s winner King Mufhasa will not be a late entry for the Cox Plate, and will instead target other races at 1600m.

Placegetters King’s Rose and Luen Yat Forever ran on solidly and may take their place at Moonee Valley in two weeks time.

Of course, the main talking point was the decision by Lloyd Williams to forego the Caulfield Cup with imports At First Sight and Midas Touch.

They were second and third favourites for the race respectively.

At First Sight, who ran second to Workforce in last year’s English Derby, and Midas Touch, second to Cape Blanco in last year’s Irish Derby, will both line up in the Cox Plate.

It will be their final run before the Melbourne Cup.

It is also expected that AJC Derby winner Shamrocker, widely expected to take her place in the Caulfield Cup, will now go to the Cox Plate.