One of the best races in Australia will be contested at The Valley on Saturday when a classy field of ten steps out in the 101st Cox Plate.
Ten races will be run and won in total and I’ve run the rule over all of them. Check out my complete 2021 Cox Plate Day Tips below.
Preview brought to you by Neds. Learn more about Neds HERE.
Race 1: 12:15pm – Inglis Banner, (1000m)
Tip: No Bet
The fresh crop of two-year-olds will contest the Inglis Banner and just two of the thirteen confirmed starters have raceday experience.
I am not overly keen or confident in anything here and I am happy to leave the cue in the rack until Race 2.
Race 2: 12:50pm – Ladbrokes Handicap, (1000m)
Tip: No. 6 Ranting
Ranting wasn’t that far away in the Neds Oakleigh Plate when resuming last time, and this is obviously a far softer race.
The Zoustar entire doesn’t win out of turn, but he also rarely races poorly and he has finished worse than second only once at this point of his prep previously.
I’m confident that he has a good race in him this time, and I am confident that he can launch his campaign in the best way possible.
Race 3: 1:25pm – Listed Crockett Stakes, (1200m)
Tip: No. 1 Robodira
Robodira looks well placed to return to winning form in the Crockett Stakes.
The Husson filly was going to be lame after finishing down the order in the Tea Rose Stakes two back, and she returned a nice performance without any luck at all in the Thoroughbred Club Stakes.
She looks to be at peak fitness for Saturday’s contest and the booking of James McDonald certainly doesn’t hinder her chances.
Race 4: 2:00pm – Group 3 Red Anchor Stakes, (1200m)
Tip: No. 9 Dosh
I’m happy to stick with Dosh in this year’s Red Anchor Stakes.
She hasn’t returned a poor performance since debuting; she won each of her two starts during her debut prep and she hasn’t missed placing in two back this time.
Her last-start effort for second, beaten by the flare of a nostril by Group 1 winner Savatoxl in the Schillaci was probably the best of her career so far, and she’ll only improve into this race.
Race 5: 2:35pm – Group 2 Moonee Valley Fillies Classic, (1600m)
Tip: No. 2 Heresy
Heresy failed to fire in the Thousand Guineas last week, but this is obviously a drop in class, and I am happy to give her the chance to bounce back in the Moonee Valley Fillies Classic.
The Street Boss filly placed at each of her first three starts back this time, all good black type contests, and her last run was the first time in her career that she had missed a minor.
She’s rock-hard fit and looks well placed.
Race 6: 3:10pm – Group 2 Crystal Mile, (1600m)
Tip: No. 4 Buffalo River
I’m happy to stick with Buffalo River in the Crystal Mile.
Buffalo River finished down the order in the Neds Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes when resuming this time, but he ran home well to finish second in the Weekend Hussler Stakes before winning the Neds Moonga Stakes last week.
Given that he is on the short back-up for a third-consecutive week, he is clearly well within himself, and I think he’ll only be better over the mile.
Race 7: 3:45pm – Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase, (2040m)
Tip: No. 1 Forgot You
A few genuine Derby and Oaks chances always come out of the Moonee Valley Vase, and I think that Forgot You will be the one to follow in 2021.
Forgot You recorded consecutive wins in a 1500m race here and the Group 2 Stutt Stakes before finishing a credible sixth in the Neds Caulfield Guineas a fortnight ago.
He strikes this race in peak order, the rise in trip should suit and I’m still more than keen to dive in at even money.
Race 8: 4:25pm – Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup, (2500m)
Tip: No. 10 Pondus
I am a big fan of Pondus, and I think he’ll take a power of beating in this year’s Moonee Valley Gold Cup.
He interestingly hasn’t won a race in Australia, but he also hasn’t performed poorly at any appearance, and he has found form around some of the world’s best horses in the UK and Europe.
He’ll enjoy plenty of improvement from his first-up run for fifth in the Group 3 Bart Cummings and I am eager to have a decent crack this week.
Race 9: 5:10pm – Group 1 Ladbrokes Cox Plate, (2040m)
Tip: No. 9 Anamoe
An outstanding field will assemble for the 101st Ladbrokes Cox Plate and we are set for a thrilling contest at The Valley.
I’ve put Anamoe on top, but be sure to check out my full race preview and complete 2021 Cox Plate Tips RIGHT HERE.
Race 10: 5:50pm – Group 3 Tesio Stakes, (1600m)
Tip: No. 11 Ecumenical
This certainly isn’t the easiest way to conclude Cox Plate Day from a betting perspective, but I do think that a horse like Ecumenical has claims at a lovely price ($14 at publish).
Ecumenical has returned several typically pleasing efforts back this time, and she kept all of her best work for late when sixth in the Ladies Day Vase on Thousand Guineas Day.
She’s rock-hard fit, gets in well under the conditions and relishes a mile.
