Saturday’s $5 million Cox Plate promises to be a mouth-watering clash as the final field and barriers have been released for the 2040-metre weight-for-age race at Melbourne’s Moonee Valley racecourse.
Often referred to as the ‘best two minutes in sport’, the Cox Plate is Australia’s greatest weight-for-age race.
The 2023 edition is set to be an epic battle, with 10 of the country’s best horses engaged, as well as two highly-regarded internationals.
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Current favourite Romantic Warrior has drawn nicely in barrier 7, but cult hero Alligator Blood (barrier 5) and the UK visitor Victoria Road (6) were the winners of Tuesday morning’s draw.
Alligator Blood, a winner of seven Group 1 races, is coming off a dominant last start victory in the Neds Might and Power (formerly Caulfield Stakes).
As of Tuesday afternoon, Hong Kong-based superstar Romantic Warrior is the $3.80 favourite with Alligator Blood listed as $5.50 and Victoria Road at $7.
The Chris Waller-trained Fangirl represents plenty of value at $9 after her impressive win in the King Charles III Stakes a fortnight ago. Barrier nine is ideal for her as she’ll settle towards the rear and be afforded as much galloping room as she likes.
2023 COX PLATE FINAL FIELD AND BARRIERS
Saddlecloth – Horse’s Name – Jockey – Weight – Barrier
1. ROMANTIC WARRIOR – James McDonald – 59kg (7)
2. ZAAKI – Damian Lane – 59kg (12)
3. MR BRIGHTSIDE – Craig Williams – 59kg (2)
4. ALLIGATOR BLOOD – Tim Clark – 59kg (5)
5. GOLD TRIP – Mark Zahra – 59kg (8)
6. MY OBERON – Jamie Mott – 59kg (4)
7. PINSTRIPED – Ben Allen – 59kg (11)
8. FANGIRL – Zac Purton – 57kg (9)
9. DUAIS – Damien Oliver – 57kg (1)
10. VICTORIA ROAD – Blake Shinn – 56.5kg (6)
11. MILITARIZE – Zac Lloyd (a) – 49.5kg (3)
12. KING COLORADO – Michael Dee – 49.5kg (10)
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