1. ZAAKI (GB)

7 year old bay or brown gelding (15-Feb-2015) Sire: EROIDESANIMAUX (BRZ) Dam: KESARA (GB)

Trainer: Ms Annabel Neasham (Warwick Farm) Jockey: James McDonald 59kg Barrier:6
Record: 29-9:3:6    Prizemoney: $2,674,357    

 

Rick says...

His first go at Caulfield threw a spanner in the works as he looked unstoppable on his previous wins.

I think it’s best to overlook that run and assess him on his brilliant Australian record.

He should get a good run in transit and will be very hard to beat.

 

 

 2. DALASAN

5 year old Chestnut horse (08-Oct-2016) Sire: DALAKHANI (IRE)   Dam: KHANDALLAH

Trainer: Leon Macdonald & Andrew Gluyas (Morphettville) Jockey: Daniel Moor 59kg Barrier:3
Record:  28-7:4:5  Prizemoney: $3,102,545

 

Rick says...

He hasn’t won for 18 months, though has placed four times at Group 1 level.

Last start, he ran a great third behind Private Eye in the Epsom Handicap and if he holds that form, he can be a first four prosect.

 

 

 3. GOLD TRIP (FR)  

5 year old bay horse (10-Mar-2017) Sire: OUTSTRIP (GB) Dam: SARVANA (FR)

Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace (Caulfield)  Jockey: Damien Oliver 59kg Barrier:2
Record: 10-1:3:2  Prizemoney: $682,714    

 

Rick says...

French raider who had run one last preparation for a third of four runners in the Group 1 Saint Cloud in France.

Has been competitive at Group 1 level, however has only 1 win from 10 career starts.

The Maher/Eustace stable has taken over the training, so he is in good hands.

Place chance on best form.

 

 

 4. CALLSIGN MAV (NZ)  

5 year old bay gelding (25-Sep-2016) Sire: ATLANTE Dam: RAADISI (NZ)

Trainer:  John Bary (Hastings NZ) Jockey: Luke Nolen 59kg Barrier:5
Record: 19-7:6:2  Prizemoney:$534,578 

 

Rick says...

Dual Group 1 winner over 1400m and 1600m at Hastings, New Zealand.

Yet to win at this distance and is understandably long odds.

Can’t see him troubling them at this level.

 

 

 5. MO’UNGA (NZ)

4 year old Bay or Brown Horse (20-Nov-2017) Sire: SAVABEEL Dam: CHANDELIER (NZ)

Trainer: Ms Annabel Neasham (Warwick Farm)  Jockey: Hugh Bowman 57.5 kg Barrier:4
Record: 12-5:2:1  Prizemoney: $1,267,290  

 

Rick says...

From the same yard as Zaaki and trainer Annabel Neasham didn’t show her cards with this runner until late in this the piece.

He was nominated for next week’s Golden Eagle and perhaps the hiccup with Zaaki’s last start loss led to the stable entering another runner in the Cox Plate.

Forget last run in the Epsom as he was wide the trip. He beat Verry Elleegant in the Winx Stakes and his second to Incentivise is as good a formline you can get.

He certainly has an X Factor and I think he is a great each way investment.

 

 6. VERRY ELLEEGANT (NZ)

6 year old Brown Mare  (12-Oct-2015) Sire: ZED (NZ)  from Dam: OPULENCE (NZ)

Trainer: Mr Chris Waller (Flemington) Jockey: Damian Lane 57kg Barrier:3
Record: 32-14:7:2  Prizemoney: $9,315,744   

 

Rick says...

This nine-time Group 1 winner’s last run was a real head scratcher, considering they raced on a suitable the Soft 5 track rating.

The Chris Waller trained mare didn’t have a lot of luck when finishing well back in the 2019 Cox Plate, which has been her only run at the Valley.

Wide draw suits as she can pull a bit in running and dos prefer to be outside of horses.

If she has bounced back to her best, she is a definite winning chance. 

 

 

 7. PROBABEEL (NZ)

5 year old Bay Mare (06-Nov-2016) Sire: SAVABEEL Dam: FAR FETCHED (NZ)

Trainer: Mr Jamie Richards (Matamata (NZ) Jockey: Brett Prebble 57 kg Barrier:7
Record: 27-12:8:0   Prizemoney: $4,038,478  

 

Rick says...

Won the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes in a close finish over Nonconformist who franked that form with a second placing in the Caulfield Cup.

Is in form, however she did finish 7^th in last year’ Cox Plate so would need to have come on a long way since that run to be a winning chance.

Top five hope.

 

 

 8. STATE OF REST (IRE)

4 year old Bay Horse  (11-Apr-2018) Sire:  STARSPANGLEDBANNER   Dam: REPOSE (USA) 

Trainer: Joseph O'Brien (Co. Kilkenny (IRE)  Jockey: John Allen 56.5 kg Barrier:8
Record: 8-2:1:2  Prizemoney: $777,909   

 

Rick says...

Irish horse who at his last start travelled to the USA to win the Group 1 Derby Invitational at Saratoga.

Finished third in Listed company the start prior at Curragh over 1600m, so I can’t make a case for him on his overall form.

 

 9. ANAMOE

3 year old Bay or Brown Colt (16-Nov-2018) Sire: STREET BOSS (USA) Dam: ANAMATO

Trainer: Mr James Cummings (Flemington)  Jockey: Craig Williams  49.5 kg Barrier:10
Record: 10-5:3:1  Prizemoney: $3,251,925 

 

Rick says...

We were waiting in anticipation to see what this colt could do stepping out to a distance. He didn’t let us down overpowering them in the Caulfield Guineas over 1600m.

He has drawn out in barrier 10, so will need to either go back, or slot in midfield if he is afforded that luck.

If he gets the right trail into the race and enjoys the further trip he is a real chance to get over the top of them.

He will be an interesting watch, as three-year-olds have generally raced near the speed and tried to open up the fields with their light-weights.

 

 

 10 CAPTIVANT

3 year old Bay or Brown Colt (05-Sep-2018) Sire: CAPITALIST Dam: SPEEDBOAT

Trainer: Peter & Paul Snowden (Flemington) Jockey: Dean Yendall 49.5 kg Barrier:1
Record: 10-2:1:3   Prizemoney: $1,030,950

 

Rick says...

Runner up to Anamoe in the Guineas. From gate 1 with the 49.5 kgs could poke up along the fence and put himself in the firing line in the straight.

Is a doubt at the trip for mine.

 

History says

Star Group 1 performers have a great record in this race.

41% of favourites have won the great race, however prior to Winx’s reign, only 2 favourites had won in that 10 year period before her.

 

Speed

There isn’t a genuine front runner in this year’s edition.

Zaaki, is most likely to go to the front early and take a sit, if others decide to make a play for the lead.

Dalasan and Captivant could be the ones to push up near the speed and put themselves in the action.

 

Cox Plate Tips

1. Zaaki
2. Mo'Unga
3. Anamoe
4. Gold Trip

Best roughie: Mo'Unga