Saturday preview: six things to keep an eye on

Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

The WS Cox Plate - 2022 was good, 2023 even better!

The race that always attracts the best that Australasia has to offer at the time, the WS Cox Plate at Moonee Valley is more often than not a race of depth. There are of course some years not as strong as others - but last year's edition with six multi-millionaire runners and field earnings in excess of $36.2 million was a pretty good one!

And won by a rather nice horse too; the now retired Anamoe going into the race as a five-time Group 1 winner who added another couple to his tally before heading to stud.

Between him and his 11 rivals, there were 20 Group 1 victories.

So how does 2023 stack up?

Well, if this year's Cox Plate was Crocodile Dundee it would say something like “you call that a race? THIS is a race!”

Again, there are 12 runners but this time eight are multi-millionaires with the first three out onto the track - Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) and Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) each winning over $10 million.

Those three horses have amassed over $35.6 million - not far short of the earnings of last year's entire field!

A staggering $77.7 million (plus some rather lucrative spare change) has been collated by this year's runners - horses who between them have won 31 races at the elite level, 11 more than last year.

It is an impressive list of Group 1 races this year's aspirants have won...

ATC Sires' Produce S., Australian Cup, Australian Guineas, Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, Champagne S., Champions Mile, Champions S., Doncaster H. times two, Doomben Cup, Futurity S., Golden Rose S., HKJC Queen Elizabeth II Cup times two, Hong Kong Cup, JJ Atkins S., King Charles II S., Mackinnon S., Makybe Diva S., Melbourne Cup, Memsie S., Might And Power S., Queensland Oaks, Stradbroke H., Tancred S., Turnbull S., Underwood S. times three, Vinery Stud S., Winx S.

Making it quite the clash - BRING IT ON!

The Manikato - Imperatriz, the perfect racehorse

Named in honour of the sprinting star who won this race - then known as the Freeway S. - in 1979 and 1982, the G1 Manikato S. was run as a principal race from 1968 to 1978, as a Group 2 for the next decade, upgraded to its current elite status in 1989 when it was won by the flashy New Zealander Our Westminster (NZ).

It has been moved around a bit during its time - for many years the first Group 1 race of the Melbourne season (August), then tried on WS Cox Plate eve until lightning last year saw it postponed to the Saturday where it has remained this year.

Those excited about having a major sprint on the same day as Australia's premier weight-for-age middle-distance contest will remember that there did used to be a speed test on the day - the G1 Moir S. which is now run in September.

The combination of those two races on the same day provided for some of the great moments of Australian racing including Manikato (Manihi) and Kingston Town (Bletchingly)... those lucky enough to have seen those two win consecutive races certainly have great memories!

The Moir was won this year by Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) who is the hot-favourite to add the Manikato to her already imposing record - one which has seen her win 15 of her 21 starts, six of those at Group 1 level.

She has ventured to Moonee Valley on three occasions - her last three starts in fact, and she has won them all, on two occasions breaking the track record. She has won five of her seven starts at the 1200 metres of the Manikato and has been successful on Good, Soft and Heavy going.

The perfect racehorse!

And she takes on just one other Group 1 winner on Saturday, this year's Oakleigh Plate winner Uncommon James (Cable Bay {Ire}).

The Manikato has been a good race for quality mares, Imperatriz looking to add her name to an honour roll that includes the wonderful females Dual Choice (Showdown {GB}), Dane Ripper (Danehill {USA}), Spinning Hill (Dolphin Street {Fr}), Sunline (NZ) (Desert Sun {GB}), Miss Andretti (Ihtiram {Ire}) and Gold Edition (Lion Hunter).

Two of the last four Manikatos have been won by mares - Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai) last year and Loving Gaby (also by I Am Invincible) in 2019.

Some great males have won it too - such as Vain, Century, Strawberry Road, Rubiton, Redoute's Choice, Hay List (Statue Of Liberty {USA}), Buffering (Mossman), Lankan Rupee (Redoute's Choice) and Chautauqua (Encosta De Lago).

The Spring Champion - a look at sirelines

Always an interesting contest, the G1 Spring Champion S. at Randwick has been a solid pointer to future Group 1 success and has been won by a number of talented stallions including Dundeel (NZ), Savabeel and Danewin.

Horses from a variety of sirelines have been successful in recent times though one has dominated via two branches - Northern Dancer (Can) through Sadler's Wells (USA) and Danehill (USA).

Gallery: Some of the stallions who have won the G1 Spring Champion S.

Sadler's Wells has been well-represented by eight winners... Sharp 'N' Smart (NZ) (Redwood {GB}), Montefilia (Kermadec {NZ}), Ace High, Complacent, Dundeel, Monaco Consul (NZ), Sousa (NZ) (Galileo {Ire}) and Universal Prince.

This year he has just the one male-line descendant runner - Glad You Think So (So You Think {NZ}) who boxed on soundly when fifth in this race's main lead-up, the G3 Gloaming S.

The Danehill-line has had nine winners - Maid Of Heaven (Smart Missile), Hampton Court, Erewhon (Commands), Platinum Scissors, Viking Ruler, Fairway (Danzero), Magic Of Sydney, Nothin' Leica Dane and Danewin.

Two runners represent Danehill this year - Cap Ferrat (Snitzel) who ran on well to finish third in the Gloaming and Tutta La Vita (The Autumn Sun), the G1 Flight S. placegetter who attempts to become the fourth Spring Champion-winning filly alongside Montefilia, Maid Of Heaven and Yankee Rose (All American).

Two other Danzig (USA)-line horses have won the race - Teranaba and Hotel Grand - and there are two runners this year; Long Genes (U S Navy Flag {USA}) who was another to finish closer up in the Gloaming and Ramble On (National Defense {GB}) who comes off a smart Kembla Grange maiden win.

Several other sirelines to have had winners have runners this year - the Gloaming winner Raf Attack (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}), the former New Zealander Medatsu (NZ) (Staphanos {Jpn}) and the consistent Port Lockroy (Better Than Ready) members of the same Halo (USA) sireline as Profondo whose sire Deep Impact (Jpn) is the sire of Satono Aladdin (Jpn) and Staphanos (Jpn).

Performing soundly in the Gloaming was Ganbare (Maurice {Jpn}) from the Roberto (USA) sireline which has provided the winners Yankee Rose and Doctor Doom (Domesday). And not far behind him was Ravello (NZ) - son of the 2004 winner Savabeel from the same Zabeel (NZ) sireline as Shadow Hero (Pierro), Niello (Octagonal {NZ}) and Dignity Dancer (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}).

The Melbourne 3-year-olds - the Red Anchor and the Vase

The middle-distance and sprinting 3-year-olds are catered for at Moonee Valley on Saturday - the G2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040 metres) the seventh race on the program whilst the G3 Red Anchor S. (1200 metres) brings a big day to a close.

Contested over a mile for its first three runnings, the Vase - in an attempt to make it a viable G1 VRC Derby lead-up - was changed to 2040 metres in 1986 and the plan came to fruition straight away: its winner Raveneaux at his next start taking out the Derby.

Another four of its winners have gone onto success in that Flemington Classic - Blevic, Efficient (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), Helenus and Plastered (Laranto) whilst Kempinsky and Elvstroem finished one/two at Moonee Valley and the other way around in the Derby.

Jameka (Myboycharlie {Ire}) went onto to G1 VRC Oaks (and later G1 Caulfield Cup) success whilst Naturalism and Gold Guru (Geiger Counter {USA}) both won the G1 AJC Derby. Another five won other Group 1 races - Kenny's Best Pal, Whobegotyou (Street Cry {Ire}), Super Cool (Fastnet Rock), Diatribe and Crush (NZ) (Crested Wave {USA}).

Favourite to take out the prize this time around is Verdad (Justify {USA}). The only runner coming out of the G1 Caulfield Guineas in which he ran a nice fifth after striking interference, he is one of two runners for his exciting sire - the last-start Listed Hill Smith S. winner Air Assault (Justify {USA}) the other.

The Red Anchor S. - not always run on this day (September its initial home) and for a number of years known as the CS Hayes S. - honours one of the best 3-year-olds to win the G1 WS Cox Plate.

Seven of its winners have gone onto Group 1 glory - Sound The Alarm (Just Awesome), Yell (Anabaa {USA}), Holler, Spartacus, Clay Hero, Rubiton and Portland Sky.

It's an even contest this year with five horses high up in the market - Maharba (Pride Of Dubai) who was good defeating subsequent Caulfield winner Brave Mead (Brave Smash {Jpn}) last time out, Barber (Exceed And Excel) down from Sydney and Archo Nacho (Sioux Nation {USA}) unlucky last start as well as a smart Gosford maiden winner at debut, Schwarz (Zoustar).

The fillies - sprinters and milers

Fillies suited over 1200 metres and 1600 metres have black-type opportunities on Saturday with the fourth race on the Moonee Valley card being the Listed Crockett S. for the sprinters and the sixth race the G2 Fillies Classic for the milers.

The Crockett in 2009 was just the second stakes victory for Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) and she is the only subsequent Group 1 winner out of the race which was first held in 1990. It has however been won by some very nice broodmares - 10 stakes winner-producers including the dams of the Group 1 winners Road To Success (Dolphin Street {Fr}), Vengeance Of Rain (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and Dizelle (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) as well as the dam of the Group 2-winning young stallion Star Turn.

The latter has a runner in the race - Saltaire looking a chance having trialled since her first-up run down the Flemington straight. It's an even field this year and she is one of the seven runners quote at 10-1 or under.

The others being Inhibitions (Zoustar) who looks suited back at the 1200 metres, Sheva (Written Tycoon) who was a tough winner off a wide run last start, Floozie (Zoustar) is on the up and Cigar Flick (Churchill {Ire}) whose 'aunt' Fangirl (Sebring) contests the G1 WS Cox Plate, along with Gumdrops (Written Tycoon) for Damian Lane and the Price-Kent Jnr team and Right To Party, another daughter of Zoustar lining up here.

A race which has had its share of name changes, the Fillies Classic began life in 1988 as the Listed Moonee Valley Oaks - a dead-heat between Champagne (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and Kensington Palace (Kingston Rule {USA}) the result.

For its first seven years run over 2040 metres, it saw six of its eight winners go onto Group 1 success including the champion Sunline (NZ) (Desert Sun {GB}), the Hong Kong Derby heroine Elegant Fashion (Danewin) and Fangirl's grandam Special Harmony (Spinning World {USA}).

Since being switched to 1600 metres in 2005 it has not been quite as strong a form reference though it has been won by five subsequent Group 1 winners - Dizelle (Zabeel {NZ}), Anamato (Redoute's Choice), Absolut Glam (Snowland), Lights Of Heaven (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and Mystic Journey (Needs Further).

It has been a good race for broodmares to have on their resume too, nine of its winners producing stakes winners including the dams of the Group 1 winners Reaan, Pinot (Pierro) and last year's Cox Plate hero Anamoe. And another tie in with that race is 2004 winner Special Harmony whose three-time Listed-winning daughter Little Surfer Girl (Encosta De Lago) is the dam of Fangirl.

Like the Crockett, it's an open race - five runners opening at single-figure odds... the unbeaten Skybird (Exosphere), the G2 Edward Manifold S. runner-up Aprilia (NZ) (U S Navy Flag {USA}), the fast-finishing Carina Queen (Fastnet Rock), the somewhat unlucky Broadcaster (Written Tycoon) and Captain Amelia (Dundeel {NZ}) who ran on nicely having got a long way back in the G1 Flight S.

The milers - the Tesio and the Crystal Mie

The G3 Tesio S. for the mares is the first of the three 1600-metre races at Moonee Valley on Saturday (we have already covered the Fillies Classic) - a race named in honour of the legendary breeder, it was first contested in 1990.

Suavito (NZ) (Thorn Park), La Bella Dama (Desert Sun {GB}), Spectrum (Old Spice), Miss Margaret (Marscay), Centisle (NZ) (Centaine) Our Marquise (NZ) (Gold And Ivory {USA}) went on to win Group 1 races.

The latter is one of the 11 Tesio winners to go onto stakes-producing broodmare careers, her daughter Shower Of Roses (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) winning the G1 Arrowfield Stud S.

It is a small field of only nine mares contesting Saturday's edition, but it looks to be anybody's race with even the outsider of the field laying some claims on form!

A deserved favourite however is the flying Wishlor Lass (Mshawish {USA}) who has won five of seven, well and truly proving herself up to this level with her recent all-the-way G3 Ladies Day Vase victory at Caulfield.

Another with a consistent record is the South Australian En Francais (Puissance de Lune {Ire}) who has drawn a much better gate than she did when a brave Listed Murray Bridge Cup second off a wide run.

The fifth race is the G2 Crystal Mile and it has on occasions proven a nice form reference for the following year's G1 WS Cox Plate. Something connections of last year's winner My Oberon (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) will be aware of!

Solvit (NZ) (Morcon {GB}) won this race two years before he won the big one whilst others to go onto Group 1 success are Getting Closer (NZ), Dazzling Duke (Dazzling Diamond), Turn Me Loose (NZ), Homesman (USA) (War Front {USA}), Juggler (Jugah {USA}), Rustic Dream (Rustic Amber {Ire}), Lad Of The Manor (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), Niconero (Danzero), Rangirangdoo (NZ) (Pentire {GB}) and Silent Achiever (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}).

Only six line up this year but amongst them are two Group 1-winning New Zealanders - Mustang Valley (NZ) (Vanbrugh) and Prowess (NZ) (Proisir); two mares who really know how to find the line.

As well as last year's G1 Toorak H. winner Tuvalu (Kermadec {NZ}) who is fighting out favouritism with Antino (NZ) (Redwood {GB}). The former comes off a G1 Underwood S. second to Alligator Blood (All Too Hard) and the latter a close Toorak second to Attrition (Churchill {Ire}).

Meanwhile, the 2021 winner Just Folk (Magnus), is attempting to become just the second horse after Weasel Will (Weasel Clause) in 2001 and 2002 to win this race twice.