The Cox Plate highlights racing at Moonee Valley while at Randwick the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes for the three year olds is the feature.
Best Bet
Antino is building a formidable record and can win once again. The Tony Gollan trained gelding lost no admirers when going down narrowly in the Toorak Handicap and he shapes as the horse with the kind of tactical speed that should be suited around Moonee Valley. Look for him to sit off Tuvalu and be too strong late.
Recommended Price: $2.50
Confidence Level: 4/5
More Racing Tips
Loved Gumdrops first up maiden win at Ballarat and she gets her chance in a race that has been significantly weakened by scratchings. The filly showed good speed to find the lead there and was strong through the line. The second, third and fourth placegetters from that race have since won. Expect her to sit on speed and be hard to beat.
Recommended Price: $6.00
Confidence Level: 3.5/5
Numerian was better than perhaps it looks on paper first up and is capable of improving sharply second up. Remember, second up last prep he finished second in the Australian Cup. Look for a more aggressive ride here to take up a position and he’ll take plenty of catching.
Recommended Price: $4.50
Confidence Level: 4/5
Tom Kitten has always looked like a colt that would appreciate 2000m and he finally gets it here in the Group 1 Spring Champion. He’s been a beaten favourite at his last three starts but you couldn’t suggest that the horse is anything but genuine. Adam Hyeronimus will just need some luck from the inside draw but should be too good if he gets it.
Recommended Price: $2.20
Confidence Level: 4.5/5
Check out our detailed Cox Plate preview for a full rundown, but Militarize is my top pick for this year’s weight for age championship. I’ll be saving on Victoria Road and King Colorado.
Schwarz was a $1.25 million yearling and if his debut was anything to go by, he might be able to live up to the price tag. He wasn’t slick out of the machine at Gosford, but showed good early speed to lead then kicked away at the stop of the straight to win as he liked. Clearly progressive, he can take the next step here. James McDonald takes the ride for John O’Shea, he has a 50% strike rate riding for the stable this season.
Recommended Price: $4.00
Confidence Level: 4/5
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