David Gately tips: Best bets for Cox Plate Day at The Valley
We only have to go back to the Caulfield Cup to see the might of the Japanese stayers and tipping guru David ‘Gator’ Gately expects us to get another dose of their incredible strength in the Cox Plate. BEST BETS, ANALYSIS
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It is often described as “the greatest two minutes in sport’’ and this year’s Cox Plate can live up to those lofty expectations with the 2019 edition a truly international event.
Japanese mare Lys Gracieux holds firm at the top of markets and we only have to go back seven days to see the might of that nation’s stayers after watching Mer De Lace take out the Caulfield Cup.
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TRACK PATTERNS
THE VALLEY
All ratings for Moonee Valley are for a good track. There is rain forecast for Friday and Saturday however, with BOM predicting only 2-5mls.
The rail is true, as it will be for the Friday night meeting.
At this meeting last year the track “compacted” with traffic of horses and there was a distinct pattern to favour on-pace/inside horses, however, the last few rail true meetings this track has played well, if anything, they have edged off that inside rail.
RANDWICK
In Sydney, we head to Randwick and ratings are for good track with the rail out 8m.
Was true last week with no mad pattern. Was 6m before that and again track played OK with no savage pattern.
The last 8m rail here was September 21 and it was a very tough day to run on with the strong westerly wind a major factor.
Wind for Saturday is predicted to reach 25-40kmh from the west, then decreasing, so do watch and monitor if possible.
GATOR’S BEST BETS
THE COX PLATE (MV)
LYS GRACIEUX
This world-class Japanese mare thrashed Kiseki at her last start, with that horse boasting a second in a Japan Cup to Almond Eye and was only beaten three lengths in an Arc.
It is also worth noting, she easily beat Kluger when they clashed last year and Kluger is the horse that gave our mighty mare Winx a scare at her farewell race at Randwick.
BONDI STAKES (RAND)
KUBRICK
Very wide in Caulfield Guineas and forgive that run, he was not far off the elite 3YOs in a very fast Golden Rose before that and Yes Yes Yes emerged from that race to win last week’s Everest in track record time.
GOLD CUP (MV)
MR QUICKIE
He was one of many hard-luck stories in last week’s Caulfield Cup when hopelessly held-up, at his previous staying attempt he beat the runner-up of that race Vow And Declare in a Queensland Derby.
GP 3 SOLUTION STAKES (MV)
AMANGIRI
Set a strong speed in Angst Stakes and fought hard when headed — winner there had just run well in a fast Group 1 Epsom. Third-up here and back a notch, she looks very hard to hold out.
MORE TIPPING INFO
The Early Oil: Cox Plate Day
Melbourne Cup: Everything you need to know
Quinny’s tips: $17 shot with Winx form
Weekend Best Bets: Mystic power to rule
SuperCoach: How to score big in round 5
OTHER RACES
TATTS CLUB CUP (RAND)
MASTER OF WINE
Blinkers went on him last time, he stepped to 2000m and he blew his rivals away winning by four lengths eased-up and ran time. Doubt 2400m pulls him up. Promising stayer!
G2 VASE (MV)
BATTENBERG
Tracked strong speed in Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes and held off all-bar two exceptional colts, one of them, Castelvecchio is a live hope in a Cox Plate. Well placed.
G2 CRYSTAL MILE (MV)
SIKANDARABAD
Likes The Valley. Closed off strongly in Group 1 Toorak Handicap last start with blinkers on back at 1600m. Speed on paper here suits him. Looks overs in betting.
* Receive all David Gately’s tips on Melbourne and Sydney races by subscribing to his email service at www.ozracingform.com or tune into SKY 1 on Saturday mornings.