The 2013 Cox Plate odds for last year’s beaten favourite Green Moon should be snapped up by punters before tomorrow’s race, according to jockey Brett Prebble.
Jockey Brett Prebble believes that Green Moon is excellent value in 2013 Cox Plate betting markets. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Green Moon started last year’s Cox Plate as favourite at odds of $4 but is currently available at a quote off $17 in 2013 Cox Plate betting markets.
The son of Montjeu had no luck in the 2012 edition of the race and struck interference on a number of occasions but still managed to finish seventh before returning to the races just over a week later to win the 2012 Melbourne Cup (3200m) in impressive fashion.
Green Moon’s form has not been as strong heading into the Cox Plate as it was last year but has done nothing wrong in each of his starts; working home strongly to finish fifth in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) before finishing ninth in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) where the race was not run to suit.
Prebble believes that the 2013 edition of the Australasian Weight-For-Age Championship is an extremely open affair and is confident that Green Moon will perform much stronger than his Cox Plate odds suggest.
“He’s the forgotten horse,” Prebble told Racing Victoria.
“Everyone thought he could win last year when he was favourite and this year he’s probably a 20-1 shot and a horse that no one is worried about.”
The 2013 Spring Racing Carnival preparation of Green Moon hit a minor roadblock when he missed a start in the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m) due to a fever and will go into the 2013 Cox Plate with just two starts under his belt.
Prebble admits that missing his key lead-up start was not ideal for Green Moon but believes that owner Lloyd Williams has done everything possible to get the six-year-old back to his peak racing fitness.
“When any horse misses a preparation race going into their Grand Final it’s always a concern but Lloyd hasn’t left a stone unturned and he’s travelled him around to gallop and get his fitness level up to where he needs to be,” Prebble said.
“He’s been set for this race and this is his Grand Final so he’s got to put his hand up tomorrow and show his ability.”
It’s A Dundeel ($4.20) remains the favourite in Cox Plate betting markets but Caulfield Guineas winner Long John has been the best backed runner in the past 24 hours and is now into Cox Plate odds of $7.
