What a day we have of racing, headlined by the $5 million Cox Plate at The Valley. Often referred to by many in racing as ‘the best two minutes in sport’ (Collingwood fans may disagree with that statement this year), the 2023 Cox Plate field looks to be as wide open as ever with 6 horses in single digit odds.
Join us as we preview a full day of racing below:
Moonee Valley
R1: Hard to go past the favourite here to kick-off the day in Taunting. Has won 5 of 10 as favourite including an impressive win last start when ridden with intent. Fasuto returns from a six week let-up and could be a danger, Finished in the middle of the field last start at Flemington but is generally strong second up.
Tip – #3 – Taunting – $2.35
R3: Expecting this one to be a close race. Wishlor Lass is drawn perfectly as she looks to make it a hat-trick of wins on the trot. Interesting to note, she has never placed in a race winning 5 of her 7 starts and finishing outside the placings on her other two races. Thalassophile looks capable of running a huge race with J-Mac back on. Forgive her last start at 1600m, she got back early and still came home strong without finishing in the placings.
*Edit* Osmose has been crunched in by the punters this morning.
Tip – #1 – Thalassophile (EW) – $6.50/2.80
R5: Antino looks to be the standout in this race for me. Went within a nose of winning the G1 Toorak Handicap. Has won 8 of 10 as favourite and should continue that form into todays race. Prowess comes in with the best form with 7 wins and 3 placings from her 10 starts and looms to be the biggest danger.
Tip – #4 – Antino – $2.80
R7 – Verdad looks absolutely suited to the 2000m here and looks to be the best chance in this race. Ran in the Caulfield Guineas and didn’t disgrace himself whatsoever, should enjoy the lack of depth in this race. Apulia also looks a danger and Koning could be worth a few dollars each way at odds.
Tip – #3 – Verdad – $1.90
R8 – Well what can you say about this race? Imperatriz looks the best horse in this by a mile and I expect her to show why. In her last two starts she’s broke the track record both times and will take an absolute mountain of beating. Uncommon James looks to be one of the only dangers in this race, has impressive form third-up in the past and blinkers come off for the first time. Expected to race on speed
Tip – #6 – Imperatriz – $1.45
R9 Cox Plate – Everything is shaping up for one of the greatest Cox Plates of all time, a mouthwatering line-up of horses combined with storylines everywhere you look
The champion in Alligator Blood ticked the 2000m box off nicely last start at Caulfield and will be given every opportunity down the straight. Romantic Warrior ran fourth last start when fresh and is a proven second-up winner who will only be fitter for that run. If Fangirl goes anywhere near close to her form in her last start, I can’t see her finishing outside the placings. Gold Trip seems to eat pressure for breakfast so a win from him won’t surprise.
Brody’s Tip – Fangirl – $8
Jae’s Tip – Alligator Blood – $6.50
R10 – Schwarz completely destroyed the field in his only start, winning by 3.5 lengths at Gosford. Didn’t break any track records by any means but the win itself announced him in a big way. Archo Nacho will look to settle just off the speed and should be strong in the finish.
Tip – Archo Nacho – $3.90
Randwick
R4: Sequestered – $2.40
R8: Espiona – $3.10
Jae’s Mega Multi:
Mooney Valley –
Race 3 – Wishlor Lass
Race 7 – Verdad
Race 8 – Imperatriz
Randwick
Race 4 – Sequestered
Race 9 – Arctic Glamour
Odds – $34
Odds brought to you by NEDS
