Cox Plate final field, barrier draw: Assessing the victors and victims

Cox Plate 2023 Final Field and Barrier Draw

The final field has been revealed for the highly anticipated Cox Plate, one of the most prestigious races on the Australian racing calendar. With a prize pool of $5 million and a distance of 2040m, the Cox Plate attracts top-class horses from around the country.

Winners and Losers of the Barrier Draw

The barrier draw can often play a crucial role in the outcome of a race, and the Cox Plate is no exception. Let’s take a closer look at the winners and losers of the barrier draw:

Winners

MR BRIGHTSIDE: With barrier 2, MR BRIGHTSIDE has a favorable position that allows him to sit just behind the leaders without doing much work in the run. This could give him a great chance to finish strong over the 2040m.

ALLIGATOR BLOOD: Starting from gate 5, ALLIGATOR BLOOD should have no trouble working his way across to the rail. This advantageous position could enable him to secure a good run in the race.

VICTORIA ROAD: Barrier 6 sets up perfectly for the Aidan O’Brien import VICTORIA ROAD. Jockey Blake Shinn will have multiple options at the start, giving the horse flexibility in finding a favorable position.

MILITARIZE: With barrier 3, MILITARIZE and jockey Zac Lloyd can find a forward position not too far from the leaders. The horse’s light weight advantage of 49.5kg could work in their favor.

Losers

KING COLORADO: Gate 10 is a tricky position for KING COLORADO. Jockey Michael Dee will need to strategize and decide whether to roll forward with Zaaki or find another way to navigate the race.

ZAAKI: Despite barrier 12, ZAAKI is expected to push forward regardless. However, the wide barrier draw means the horse may need to put in extra effort to secure a favorable position before the first corner.

PINSTRIPED: Gate 11 makes the task even tougher for PINSTRIPED. With limited options, the horse is likely to have to drop back in the field.

Assessing the Field

Looking at the final field, ROMANTIC WARRIOR emerges as the clear favorite, priced at $3.80. Trained by Danny Shum and ridden by James McDonald, the horse has drawn barrier 7, which should provide a good run throughout the race.

Other contenders in the field include ZAAKI ($5.50), VICTORIA ROAD ($7), and MILITARIZE ($7.50). These horses have shown promising form leading up to the Cox Plate and could provide strong competition for the favorite.

Advice for Punters

When it comes to betting on the Cox Plate, careful consideration of the barrier draw and field composition is crucial. Assessing how each horse may navigate the track and their potential positions in the run is essential in making informed decisions.

While ROMANTIC WARRIOR is the favorite, it’s important not to discount the potential of other runners, such as ZAAKI, VICTORIA ROAD, and MILITARIZE. These horses have shown the ability to perform at a high level and could challenge the favorite for victory.

Ultimately, studying the form, tracking the progress of each horse in their lead-up races, and analyzing the impact of the barrier draw will help punters make well-informed decisions on Cox Plate day.