Betting Favourite For The 2013 Cox Plate Continues To Firm

It’s A Dundeel  has been the market mover in 2013 Cox Plate betting markets following yesterday’s scratching of Atlantic Jewel and is now a clear betting favourite at odds of $4.

It's A Dundeel will be returning to the races for the first time since his memorable victory in the Underwood Stakes.

It's A Dundeel will be returning to the races for the first time since his memorable victory in the Underwood Stakes. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

It’s A Dundeel was available at odds of $6 before the scratching of Atlantic Jewel and was brought into odds of $4.40 before her withdrawal, but has now been backed ahead of Puissance De Lune ($4.40) and Fiorente ($4.60) in Cox Plate betting.

While punters have supported It’s A Dundeel heavily in the last 24 hours there are a number of historical factors against the three-year-old Triple Crown winner in Saturday’s Cox Plate; with only two of the past ten favourites claiming victory in the race.

On top of the poor record of favourites no horse since 1979 has won the Cox Plate without previously having a race start in October and by Saturday the High Chaparral entire will have had a 35 day break between his victory in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m), after he missed a key lead-up run in the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m), while Fields Of Omagh is the only Cox Plate winner to go into the Australasian Weight-For-Age Championship with just two lead-up runs.

Jockey James McDonald is not worried about history and has always argued that missing the Caulfield Stakes was a blessing in disguise for It’s A Dundeel.

The rising jockey partnered It’s A Dundeel in trackwork at Monee Valley yesterday morning and said that he could not have been happier with the son of High Chaparral.

“He felt brilliant,” McDonald said

“It was a big improvement on Wednesdays gallop and I really feel that he is peaking for the right day.

“He was fresh on Wednesday and he has just taken the edge off him.

“He is spot on today and he really attacked the line like we all know that he can.

“I think that he is a clean winded horse and he is fit and ready to go.

“He has dappled up all over the coat and he looks superb and I really feel that the space between the two races will be beneficial for him.”

Green Moon, who also missed the Caulfield Stakes, and Rekindled Interest are the only other horses going into the Cox Plate with just two starts this preparation, while European-trained gallopers Side Glance and Mull Of Killough will both be making their Australian racing debuts.

In contrast, former 2013 Cox Plate favourite Puissance De Lune will be having the fifth start of his 2013 Spring Racing Carnival campaign after starting his preparation with an impressive win in the Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) on August 17.

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.