Cox Plate Odds Questionable For Mull Of Killough

Trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam believes that the 2013 Cox Plate odds of Mull Of Killough are not a fair representation of his chances in the Group 1 event at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Jane Chapple-Hyam is confident that Mull Of Killough can cause a boilover in the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Jane Chapple-Hyam is confident that Mull Of Killough can cause a boilover in the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on Saturday. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Mull Of Killough is currently rated a $61 chance by bookmakers in 2013 Cox Plate betting markets, which Chapple-Hyam believes is far too generous for a horse with the form of her star galloper.

Chapple-Hyam argues that Mull of Killough’s European form is superior to that of Fiorente and feels that the seven-year-old would be available at Cox Plate odds of $10 if he was prepared by an Australian-based trainer.

“I’m fully aware that he is not a Group 1 winner but Fiorente is not a Group 1 winner either and he has been getting all the bold press,” Chapple-Hyam told News Limited.

“I’m not saying put a line through Fiorente, because he has acclimatized and done very well here, but back in England I would put my horse in front of him.

“My feeling is if Mull Of Killough was with an Aussie trainer he wouldn’t be 100/1.

“We are under the radar because I’m not a high profile trainer.”

Jockey Steven Arnold rode Mull Of Killough in trackwork at the International Equine Centre at Werribee this morning and said that the son of Mull Of Kintyre is in great order heading into the Cox Plate.

Arnold told TVN that he is confident that Mull Of Killough will get a lovely run into the race from barrier four and said that he doesn’t care about the Cox Plate odds of the European-trained galloper.

“There doesn’t appear to be a great deal of speed,” Arnold said.

“He’s quite versatile, he’s gone forward and he’s gone back, but he’s got a good gate and we will use that in Saturday and be in the first three or four.”

“My job is pretty simple, I have to ride the horse and I don’t care what price he is.

“I’m employed to go out and give him the best possible ride.”

Mull Of Killough will be the first European-trained horse to win the Cox Plate if he is successful on Saturday, while Arnold is chasing his second victory after winning the 2010 edition of the race on equine superstar So You Think.

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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.