Trainer John O’Shea has confirmed that Contributer will contest the 2015 Cox Plate in the third start of his 2015 Spring Racing Carnival campaign.
The Cox Plate will be the major 2015 Spring Racing Carnival goal for Contributer. Photo by: Steve Hart
Contributer was sent to the spelling paddock after he suffered an injury in the lead-up to the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on April 11, but he has now started fast work as he builds towards the start of his spring preparation
O’Shea told News Limited that Contributer was on track to return to racing in the Group 2 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on September 5 and would then contest either the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on September 26 or the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m) on October 10 before pressing on to the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 24.
“Last season with Contributer, and we are still learning about him as I’ve only had him for five runs, we found that his third run was quite a nice run, so consequently we’ll have him go to the Cox Plate third-up,” O’Shea said.
Contributer started his racing career under the care of Ed Dunlop in the United Kingdom and he made his racing debut at Newmarket in July of 2012 before he scored his maiden race win at Wolverhampton in November of the same year.
The High Chaparral entire started his 2013 racing season with a win at Newbury and he finished second in both the Group 3 Dee Stakes (2081m) and the Listed Corked Hat Stakes (2213m), but he was able to go to another level the following season and take out the Listed Magnolia Stakes (2012m) and the Listed Wolferton Handicap (2012m) before he was purchased by Godolphin.
Contributer made his Australian racing debut with an impressive win in the Group 3 David Jones Cup (2000m) at Caulfield on October 18 and he was beaten as a favourite in the Group 1 Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on November 8, but he was able to stamp himself as one of the most talented weight-for-age gallopers in Australia during the 2015 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.
After two strong trials, Contributer started his preparation with a win in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on February 14 and he claimed his maiden Group 1 victory in the Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Warwick Farm on February 28 before he made it three wins on the trot in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 21.
Contributer is currently available at 2015 Cox Plate odds of $8 and he is currently on the second line of betting from Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Criterion ($9), Doomben Cup winner Pornichet ($10), Doncaster Mile winner Kermadec ($13), Japanese galloper Tosen Stardom ($13) and Golden Slipper winner Vancouver ($13).
