Cox Plate, Manikato Stakes: Last-minute betting guide and tips for Moonee Valley

WINX is set to the stop the nation in today’s Cox Plate, but for the average punter her price makes her not the greatest earner if successful.

WINX is set to the stop the nation in today’s Cox Plate, but for the average punter her price makes her not the greatest earner if successful.

COX PLATE LIVE

Saddle Up’s Chris Vernuccio has selected the James Cummings-trained Demerara as his best for the afternoon.

The unbeaten filly won in slick time last start. She’s rising through the grades and improving each time she steps out on the track, while the opposition appear to have hit their ceiling.

HOT TIPS: WEEKEND BEST BETS

THE EARLY OIL: COX PLATE DAY

THE VERDICT: COX PLATE FIELD RATED

MOONEE VALLEY PROGRAM

Saturday:

Race 1: 12:10pm — Inglis Banner

Race 2: 12:40pm — Bendigo Bank Handicap

Race 3: 1:15pm — Telstra Phonewords Stakes (Group 3)

Race 4: 1:50pm — Crockett Stakes

Race 5: 2:25pm — Powerflo Solutions Stakes (Group 3)

Race 6: 3:00pm — Moonee Valley Gold Cup (Group 2)

Race 7: 3:35pm — italktravel Fillies Classic (Group 2)

Race 8: 4:10pm — Crystal Mile (Group 2)

Race 9: 5pm — COX PLATE (Group 1)

Race 10: 5:45pm — Drummond Gold Vase (Group 2)

*The Manikato Stakes on Friday night is race 7 at 9.30pm. The first race starts at 6.30pm and the last at 10pm.

WEATHER

There’s also the possibility of showers on Saturday morning and during the afternoon, but a track downgrade in unlikely. A top of 20C is forecast for Saturday.

GLENN McFARLANE, DANNY RUSSELL AND GILBERT GARDINER TALK WINX AND THE COX PLATE SUPPORT CAST IN THE SNEAKY CHANCE PODCAST

COX PLATE DAY: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

PLATE VERDICT: DISLIKES AND LIKES AND TIPS

JUMP ON

DEMERARA (Saturday, R4, No.8): Unbeaten filly won in slick time last start. She’s rising through the grades and improving each time she steps out on the track, while the opposition appear to have hit their ceiling.

COX PLATE TIP

WINX

Who else? She wins and it will be a matter of how far. For trifectas and first fours I’m backing Gailo Chop, Royal Symphony or Folkswood to fill in the minors.

JUMP OFF

HUMIDOR (Saturday R7, No. 11): Backing up from last week’s Caulfield Cup and dropping in distance. Will be chasing Winx again and that didn’t go so well in the Turnbull Stakes. His race manners are also a concern.

BE WARY

THE TWO YEAR OLDS

The opening race on Saturday is for the babies, and unless you’re in the know, it’s a guessing game without public trial and proper jumpout information. If you must have a bet, the best advice is follow the betting.

Had a dream last night that Craig took a sit on Vega Magic getting stuck on the fence behind the leaders. Sad to say he didn’t get out. 😔🙏🏻

— Daniel McGrath (@danmcgrath21) October 26, 2017

If Vega Magic gets rolled tomorrow night due to "pilot error" it may be the first time we see punters storm the track. #VegaOrRiot

— Tim's Tips (@Tim_Tips) October 26, 2017

Is anyone in Australia tipping anything other than Vega Magic in the Manikato? Carrying the weight of the nation... and Craig. 😬

— James Lamb (@James_M_Lamb) October 25, 2017

AROUND THE COUNTRY

Sydney:

INTERLOCUTER (Randwick R9, No.8): Will be winning better races than this in the near future. Short odds, but if he salutes hopefully we’ll see the Godolphin colt in action during the Flemington carnival.

Perth:

EPIC GREY (Ascot R6, No.2): A model of consistency, six runs for three wins and three seconds, and is nice value too.

TRANSPORT OPTIONS

* Free public parking in the centre of the racetrack

* Trains: Craigieburn line from Flinders Street Station stops at Moonee Ponds Station, a 10 minute walk down Puckle Street.

* Tram: Route 59 from Elizabeth St in the city to Moonee Ponds Junction (200m walk from the McPherson St entrance).

Click here for more information

COX PLATE BETTING SUMMARY

BIGGEST BETS ON WINX TO WIN

$106,500 at $1.15 (October 24)

$60,000 at $1.15 (October 24)

$50,000 at $1.15 (October 23)

$50,000 at $1.15 (October 24)

$43,478 at $1.15 (October 25)

$28,000 at $1.15 (October 23)

$25,000 at $1.15 (October 26)

$20,000 at $2.80 (December 8)

$20,000 at $1.50 (June 9)

$20,000 at $1.50 (July 28)

$20,000 at $1.15 (October 24)

$20,000 at $1.15 (October 26)

BIGGEST BETS NOT ON WINX TO WIN

$500 each-way on Kaspersky at $81/$6

$500 on Royal Symphony at $26

$500 on Humidor at $19

$300 on Royal Symphony at $34

$250 on Hardham at $301

$250 each-way on Folkswood at $21/$2.33

$250 each-way on Humidor at $18/$2.13

$200 each-way on Royal Symphony at $34/$7.60

$200 on Royal Symphony at $34

$200 on Happy Clapper at $23

$200 on Humidor at $19

BEST BACKED FOR THE WIN

1. Winx ($1.15) – 93.3%

2. Royal Symphony ($15) – 0.9%

3. Kaspersky ($81) – 0.5%

4. Gailo Chop ($19) – 0.4%

5. Humidor ($19) – 0.4%

BEST BACKED FOR THE PLACE

1. Royal Symphony ($2) – 7.8%

2. Kaspersky ($6.20) – 5.8%

3. Gailo Chop ($2.20) – 5.7%

4. Folkswood ($2.30) – 4.9%

5. Happy Clapper ($2.60) – 4.4%

*percentage figures include horses that didn’t make the final field.

@chrisv195