Cox Plate Betting

The 2011 $3m Group 1 W S Cox Plate betting received a shake-up of earthquake proportions when Helmet won the Caulfield Guineas on October 8.

The three-year-old’s win was so impressive he leapfrogged Kiwi galloper Jimmy Choux as  Cox Plate betting favourite.

Helmet ran a race record time at Caulfield and did all the hard work and still won.

But now as the heat of the moment subsides in the final week prior to the Cox Plate winner being decided, the odds have evened up.

Luxbet have Helmet [$3.50]and Jimmy Choux [$3.60] and the openness of the Cox Plate market reflects the uncertainties that will haunt the Cox Plate runners until decision time this Saturday.

Neither of the pair has raced at Moonee Valley and Helmet hasn’t raced over 2040m.

Helmet isn’t the only distance doubt for the Cox Plate with Sincero and Secret Admirer yet to be proven at the trip.

Trainer Peter Snowden, worked Helmet at Flemington on Tuesday and says he couldn’t be happier. He also quipped he should run the trip right out – on his dam’s side – he should.

The two at the top of the betting for the Cox Plate are not the only Moonee Valley virgins either.

Descarado, Glass Harmonium,  Sincero, Playing God, Shamrocker and  Secret Admirer are  also going to have their first start at Moonee Valley in the 2011 W S Cox Plate (2040m).

The Gai Waterhouse stable has reported that Descarado, who was a late withdrawal at Moonee Valley’s Breakfast for the Stars on Tuesday morning, has swelling to the near hind leg.

It is rated a one  out of five lameness and  Waterhouse is saying her horse is a 98% chance of running.

Racing Victoria vets will exam the gelding on Friday prior to the 2011 Cox Plate but his preparation must place doubt on his chances even if he does start.

Luxbet have Descarado at $15 but he could drift further if no positive news surfaces before Friday.

Yosei, the second emergency  was scratched on Wednesday due to leg worries.

Rekindled Interest worked the ears off Jimmy Choux during the Moonee Valley Breakfast for the Stars when wearing blinkers.

He was strongly backed on that effort tumbling from $12 to $9.50 with Luxbet. He also has superior Moonee Valley form on rivals.

“He’s had a really trouble-free preparation from day one and seems to be coming to his peak at the right time,” trainer Jim Conlan said.

Hastings-based horseman John Bary said he was unconcerned that Jimmy Choux was beaten by Rekindled Interest in Tuesday’s workout.

“It’s only Tuesday, I’m not worried…we’re really confident,” he said.

“The Cox Plate is run on Saturday and not Tuesday morning.”

When the issue is Glass Harmonium, some are with and some are against. He gets his opportunity in the Cox Plate of 2011 to put the record straight.

The front runner has drawn perfectly in barrier four and may get the added bonus of the withdrawal of Descarado, another leader, on Friday.

Luxbet as well as other bookmakers are also sitting on the sidelines when judging the Cox Plate chances of Glass Harmonium and have him at $12.

The Mike Moroney-trained galloper is on the same line of betting at Secret Admirer, the first mare to win the Epsom Handicap in 35 years.

Rekindled Interest whose Moonee Valley form is superior to opponents leading up to the Cox Plate of 2011, is marginally shorter at $11 while the unpredictable Lion Tamer is at $13.

 King’s Rose is $15 and at that price looks value with Luxbet.

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