Lion Tamer will run with blinkers in the Cox Plate

Two sets of connections will be hoping that blinkers are the magic bullet for their horses when they contest the Cox Plate in two weeks time.

Both Lion Tamer and Sincero were extremely disappointing last start in the Caulfield Stakes and they’re hoping a gear change will spring them back to life.

Lion Tamer was especially disappointing given he was one of the favourites for the Cox Plate, was racing in good form and has no concerns over the distance.

Sincero meanwhile was in good form but is a query over 2000m as this his is first campaign getting over that much ground.

The good news for Lion Tamer fans is that blinkers have worked for him in the past and trainer Murray Baker knows exactly when to use them.

He put them on for the first time in the Victoria Derby last year, a race Lion Tamer would go on to win by over six lengths.

He says he’s seen him put in the odd nothing run before and he’s confident there’s no serious problem that would threaten his spring.

“He didn’t want to be there,” Baker said.

“He jumped awkwardly and when he got back he lost interest. Michael said he didn’t show any interest at all.

“He pulled up perfectly after the race and nothing became obvious when he was vetted.”

It’s a similar story for Stephen Farley who has also used blinkers with success on Sincero in the past.

He put them on after a disappointing run in the QTC Cup before coming out to win the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap.

“The blinkers worked in the Stradbroke and hopefully they will work again in the Cox Plate,” he said.

Sincero had his first look at the Moonee Valley track yesterday and will return on Thursday and next Tuesday so he has as much time as possible to get accustomed to the unique layout.