The Cox Plate is the highlight of an incredible Saturday of racing but there are outstanding cards at both Moonee Valley and Randwick. With rain forecast in both states, wet track form will be vital.
Best Bet
Francesco Guardi maps to get a perfect run from the inside draw and can win the Moonee Valley Cup. He comes off a terrific run in the Bart Cummings where he got well back in the run and flashed home. Expect James McDonald to position him closer in the run and save all the ground. He will just need some luck getting off the fence, but if he gets it he should storm over them late.
Recommended Price: $3.30
Confidence Level: 4.5/5
More Racing Tips
Ashford Street is a superior wet tracker who will relish the conditions. Two from two on heavy going, he comes out of a high rating race behind Asfoora last start and gets a nice drop in class.
Recommended Price: $4.20
Confidence Level: 3.5/5
Shalailed gets one of my favourite gear changes – Nash Rawiller on – and no doubt the champion jockey will be aggressive out of the barriers and seek to take up a position. If he can do that, he looks very well placed here off the back of a strong second placing at Caulfield last time out behind the very talented Grand Impact.
Recommended Price: $3.50
Confidence Level: 4.5/5
Willinga Rufio was a total forgive run last start when he got involved in a speed battle and was given no chance. He was terrific first up and coming back in trip will suit, as does the prospect of a wet track. Look for Tyler Schiller to press forward – in more restrained fashion than last start – and prove hard to catch.
Recommended Price: $4.40
Confidence Level: 4/5
Callsign Mav was a Group 1 winner two starts back before travelling wide and pulling up with an issue in the Toorak. Forgive that run and he is very well placed here at weight for age and especially on wet ground, which he loves. Speed should be on here, and Jamie Mott can stalk it and pounce late.
Recommended Price: $5.00
Confidence Level: 3.5/5
Matcha Latte was enormous in defeat after missing the kick in the Gloaming Stakes. The Mark Newnham trained colt ran second to Golden Mile prior to that so the form lines up. He has to see out 2000m, but his run last start gives confidence that he can do that and wet ground holds no fears. Looks terrific value.
Recommended Price: $9.00/3.00
Confidence Level: 3.5/5
Gold Trip looks a great bet in the 2022 Cox Plate. The Maher/Eustace trained gelding comes off a terrific second placing in last week’s Caulfield Cup when he carried top weight. The prospect of a wet track brings him right into this race, as does the prospect of rain affected ground and a genuinely run race. He might be too tough for them.
Recommended Price: $8.00
Confidence Level: 4/5
Sirileo Miss returned to her best last start and she is certainly capable of making it back to back wins here. She is very well weighted here and her ability to race on the speed and handle wet ground make her the ideal horse for this kind of race. Looks a great bet to finish the day.
Recommended Price: $4.00
Confidence Level: 3.5/5
Paulele looks ideally placed to claim his first Group 1 in the Manikato Stakes. The Godolphin team is on fire at present and he showed he is in career best form with a terrific win last start at Caulfield, coming from what looked like an awkward position to score with something in hand. The pace should be on from the outset here and James McDonald should position him midfield and pounce late.Recommended Price: $3.50
Confidence Level: 4.5/5
