Japanese trainer says Prognosis was beaten by a ‘freak’ in Cox Plate

Japanese raider Prognosis was simply “beaten by a better horse”, while Pride Of Jenni has likely come to the end of her prep.

Japanese trainer Mitsumasa Nakauchida wants to return to Melbourne with Prognosis – or another horse good enough – to contest the Cox Plate.

Prognosis finished second at The Valley in Australia’s best race behind the brilliant Via Sistina.

“He’s seven years old, see what happens next year,” Nakauchida said.

“I’d love to bring him back again if we get the chance.

“I’m hoping we have a good enough horse to bring back here in the future.”

• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

Nakauchida offered no excuse for Prognosis, who was “beaten by a better horse today”.

“I am very happy with the horse, he ran good,” Nakauchida said.

“He broke good, he was placed in a good position, he was a little bit keen early, but he settled down, he got into his rhythm then he raced, the winner just passed him.

“He still finished good and held second place, there wasn’t anyone coming from behind other than the winner.

“I’m happy with the race, he just got beaten by a better horse today.”

• ‘She won like Winx’: J-Mac claims 100th Group 1 in record Cox Plate triumph

Prognosis, a three-time Group 2 winner, has now placed in elite company on four occasions, twice behind 2023 Cox Plate winner Romantic Warrior and once to Japanese freak Equinox.

“There is always another horse in front of him, there was Romantic Warrior, this time Via Sistina,” Nakauchida said.

“I’m sure she’s a freak, so we try again.”

Prognosis travelled strongly behind early leader Pride Of Jenni and took over approaching the home bend but could not match motors with Via Sistina.

“I wasn’t expecting that close but as soon as he jumped, that was the main thing,” Nakauchida said.

“Then he got into rhythm, that was up to Damian (Lane) and I think he rode him good, I’m happy.”

Prognosis (right, yellow and black silks) was no match for Cox Plate winner Via Sistina, while Pride Of Jenni (far right, purple and blue silks) will likely be sent for a spell after finishing second last. Picture: Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Nakauchida all but ruled out Prognosis staying on to run at Flemington in the Champions Stakes.

“I wouldn’t think so, he had a hard race,” Nakauchida said.

“He’s spent one month here already preparing for this race, to be 100 per cent, we didn’t come here for 70 per cent or 80 per cent, we came here for 100 per cent, I’m sure he’s tired after this race.”

‘Flat’ Jenni set for break

Pride Of Jenni is likely to go for a break now after racing “flat” in the Cox Plate on Saturday.

The multiple Group 1 winner could not sustain her gallop at The Valley in a gallant bid to contest the King Charles III Stakes in Sydney and Cox Plate seven days apart.

Champion trainer Ciaron Maher conceded “two big ones” in a week was too much for Pride Of Jenni.

“I said to (owner) Tony (Ottobre), which race do you want to have her peaking for, because it is a fairly tough ask to run two big ones,” Maher said.

“It all went very smooth but as I said, just a big week.”

Pride Of Jenni led the Cox Plate early but punctured well before the home bend.

“I’d say (jockey) Dec (Bates) would’ve known early than that,” Maher said.

Pride Of Jenni raced five times in the spring but could not add to her tally of three Group 1 wins.

She raced flat first-up in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes then rebounded to run second in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes.

The seven-year-old mare won the Group 2 Feehan Stakes third-up and then endured a tough run in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes last Saturday, second behind Ceolwulf.

Bates echoed Maher’s assessment after the Cox Plate.

“Just raced a bit flat,” Bates said.

“I knew a long way out she wasn’t taking me away from them, I was having to just ask her to do it a bit.

“She seemed to pull up well and hopefully she does but a bit flat today.”

Originally published as Japanese trainer says Prognosis was beaten by a ‘freak’ in Cox Plate