Descarado

Descarado has a racing pattern that’s perfectly suited to Moonee Valley and on the back of that he has to be rated a chance for this Saturday’s Cox Plate.

In addition he comes into the race boasting an impressive victory in the Caulfield Stakes where he was simply to good over the 2000m trip.

The game plan for Descarado was simple in that race, he strode to the front and said catch me if you can.

It’s something that often works well at Moonee Valley where horses can skip out to a cheap lead off the tight home turn and then bring it home across the shortest metropolitan home straight in the country.

There is one issue he will likely face where they to persist with that plan though, that’s the fact he won’t be the only one trying it.

In fact on paper it looks as if Descarado, Glass Harmonium and Helmet could all battle for the lead with the likes of Sincero, Lion tamer and Playing God all probably going forward as well.

Jockeys are aware they can’t afford to give them too much of a start at Moonee Valley, especially in a Cox Plate, so the early speed battle could prove decisive.

Making things even tougher for Descarado is that lameness has been found in his hind quarter.

It’s not serious but any road block at this stage of the preparation is far from ideal.

“We hope it’s only a hiccup, he’s got  a bit of heat in the hind quarter.” Part owner Ross Herron said.

“We took a precaution and didn’t work him this morning (at the breakfast with the best).

“We would have liked to take him to the Valley.

” He’s had it before, it’s not a major concern but we’ve got to be a little bit worried.’

It’s worth noting though that Descarado did still work at Flemington however it was only a very light session.

Descarado will start from gate nine in the Cox Plate but for a horse of his style it’s not so much where he is as opposed to where he is in relation to the other speed.

“We wanted to be between Glass Harmonium and Helmet, we were happy with anything eight to 12,” he said.

That’s exactly what they’ve got with Glass Harmonium in four and Helmet wider in 11.

Herron says there will be no change in strategy going into this Saturday and they will be content to play catch me if you can one more time.

“We targeted the Cox Plate earlier in the year, his pattern of race is if he’s leading and allowed to battle along in front they’ll struggle to get past him,” he said.