Racing
Ladbrokes Blog: 2023 Ladbrokes Cox Plate Day Preview
A massive crowd will be in attendance this Saturday at The Valley for one of the biggest days on the Spring Racing Calendar, Ladbrokes Cox Plate Day.
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
The $5 million staying test headlines the 10-race program and we could be set for another all-time classic with Hong Kong champion Romantic Warrior, Alligator Blood, Gold Trip, and multiple Group 1 winner Mr Brightside taking their place.
Imperatriz is out for back-to-back Group 1's in the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes, while the Crystal Mile and the Moonee Valley Vase shape as fascinating races.
There are plenty of winners to be found, and our best bets ahead of Ladbrokes Cox Plate Day can be found below!
RACE 1 - 11:10AM: Strathmore Community Bendigo Bank Handicap (1000 METRES)
Fasuto strikes a winnable race third-up after losing the rider a few weeks ago in a similar contest.
The gelding by Supido was beaten less than two lengths on return the start prior at Flemington, while he also has form around Boldinho dating back to his maiden prep – an impressive winner at Geelong during the week.
Blaike McDougall was in the saddle for his maiden win earlier in his career and appears to have plenty of options carrying only 54kg's from a handy gate.
BET NOW: The Valley Race 1
RACE 2 - 11:45AM: Listed Inglis Banner (1000 METRES)
Always a tricky race with the entire field on debut.
Blue Allure appeals in her first start for Lindsay Park with Michael Dee riding quite well of late.
The untapped two-year-old has made an impression in recent jump outs, fighting back well to cross the line first at Flemington last week. If she can settle just off the speed, this should be within her grasp.
BET NOW: The Valley Race 2
RACE 3 - 12:20PM: Powerflo Solutions Tesio Stakes (1600 METRES)
Soul Choice handled the rise to Group 3 level quite well at Randwick a fortnight ago, shifting off the fence at the 200m mark to run on late for sixth in the Angst Stakes.
That run over the mile should do her a world of good, and I think she's open to improvement third-up with less of a gap between runs.
By Redoute's Choice, this is the four-year-old's first look at The Valley, but with Linda Meech getting in nice and light at the weights, she should be able to roll straight to the front and take full advantage of the lack of early speed.
BET NOW: The Valley Race 3
RACE 4 - 12:55PM: Listed PFD Food Services Crockett Stakes (1200 METRES)
Inhibitions returns to The Valley, the sight of back-to-back placings before a complete forgive run last Saturday in the Guineas Prelude at Caulfield.
The Godolphin filly was slow away after copping some interference at the start, and really only got going in her final few strides when beaten over three lengths by Coeur Volante.
She was second-best to the same filly the start prior in the Scarborough, a questionable ride from Blake Shinn that saw her roll forward early, settle back, and then fade late.
The booking of Craig Williams inspires more confidence for mine, especially if she can settle closer to the speed with fitness now on her side.
BET NOW: The Valley Race 4
RACE 5 - 1:30PM: Group 2 McCafe Crystal Mile (1600 METRES)
Bankers Choice is having his third run back coming off a brave effort for third in the Toorak two weeks ago behind Attrition.
Michael Moroney's six-year-old gave away a huge start and was always wide around the final turn, working home nicely down the outside where he clocked some very impressive late splits in the process.
With a better run, I think he probably beats attrition, while the booking of James McDonald also signals intent from the stable.
Runner-up in this same race last year off an identical setup, he should prove hard to beat.
BET NOW: The Valley Race 5
RACE 6 - 2:05PM: Group 2 3 Point Motores Fillies Classic (1600 METRES)
On paper her recent form doesn't exactly stand out, but this does look a winnable race for Captain Amelia in her Valley debut.
She was a real eye-catcher in the Group 1 Flight Stakes at Randwick last month, letting down well down the outside to run fifth to Tropical Squall.
That was her first go over the mile, so there's still room for improvement, particularly if J-Mac can use the wide gate to his advantage and swoop in late.
Poifect is also worth a look each-way. The race pattern was against her in the Edward Manifold, but her first-up effort at Caulfield suggested she could be in for a big prep. Worth forgiving with a much better gate to her name on this occasion.
1 Unit Captain Amelia, 1 Unit E/W Poifect
BET NOW: The Valley Race 6
RACE 7 - 2:40PM: Group 2 Drummond Golf Vase (2040 METRES)
Verdad looks tough to beat with a run under his belt at The Valley two back in the Stutt Stakes, running on late for second behind subsequent Caulfield Guineas winner, Griff.
The three-year-old was good himself in the Group 1 feature a couple of weeks ago, finding the middle of the track down the straight for sixth where he was checked across heels late in the piece.
This is only his fourth start, but out over further from a much-improved gate, he appears very well-placed.
BET NOW: The Valley Race 7
RACE 8 - 3:20PM: Group 1 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes (1200 METRES)
Imperatriz is the easy on top selection here in search of her sixth Group 1.
This outstanding mare by I Am Invincible has gone to another level of late, bursting into the clear down the outside to win the Moir with plenty left to give last time out.
Her final 200m split was the fastest of the evening, and providing she gets clean air again, she'll be almost impossible to hold out.
For value, The Inferno stands out as a decent bet for a place. His effort in the Moir was solid, making up good late ground from the tail. He goes well second-up and has had a jump out between starts to keep him sharp.
For our thoughts on every runner in this year's Manikato Stakes field, click here.
4 Units Imperatriz, 1 Unit The Inferno (Place)
BET NOW: The Valley Race 8
RACE 9 - 4:10PM: Group 1 Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040 METRES)
Another outstanding edition of the Ladbrokes Cox Plate with a genuine case to be made for most.
Romantic Warrior was a touch disappointing in the Turnbull, over-racing early and a little one-paced when it mattered most. That said, this superstar from Hong Kong is only going to improve with racing, and all reports from the stable suggest he handled his recent track work at The Valley in his stride.
Duais is the value play in the race for mine. I've been with her in her last few starts and I'm not about to get off. This is her first look at the track, but the way she worked home along the rail in the Caulfield Stakes a fortnight ago really caught the eye.
The decision to bypass the Caulfield Cup last week warrants respect, and providing the inside lane isn't to her disadvantage, a place wouldn't surprise.
For an in-depth look at every runner in this year's Cox Plate, click here.
1 Unit Romantic Warrior, 1 Unit E/W Duais
BET NOW: The Valley Race 9
RACE 10 - 4:50PM: Group 3 Sharp EIT Solutions Red Anchor Stakes (1200 METRES)
Schwarz could be an above-average colt for John O'Shea if he puts it all together.
His arrogant win on debut at Gosford a few weeks ago suggested he can do just that, leading softly into the turn over the same journey before kicking clear to score by over three lengths.
All of his trial work leading in was solid, and he's drawn to land on speed and run a similar race along the inside.
