Awesome Rock is yet to herald much interest in 2016 Cox Plate betting markets, but Team Corstens are thrilled with the condition of the talented galloper leading into this afternoon’s Moonee Valley feature

Awesome Rock has continued to drift in 2016 Cox Plate betting markets. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

Awesome Rock has been a strong and consistent performer for Leon and Troy Corstens throughout his entire racing tenure to date, but has undoubtedly returned to competition in career-best condition in 2016.

Clearly requiring a run and more distance when he placed 12^th in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) first-up on February 13^th, the Fastnet Rock entire ran a handy fourth in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) a fortnight later.

Producing his best effort to date when first past the post in the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) on March 12^th, Awesome Rock was unlucky to lose the race on protest to Preferment and was sent for a spell after he failed to beat a runner home in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) on Day 2 of The Championships.

Resuming this time for tenth in the Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) on August 13^th, Awesome Rock claimed ballot-free entry into the Cox Plate via a dominant win in the Group 2 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) at The Valley on September 3^rd.

Having since placed fifth in each of the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800) and Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m), Awesome Rock will leave from barrier 5 in the Cox Plate and will likely take up the running with Stephen Baster in the saddle.

Awesome Rock opened at odds of $71 following the confirmation of a ten-horse final field on Tuesday, and has since drifted in Cox Plate betting markets to a current quote of $101.

Another horse than has been all but abandoned in 2016 Cox Plate betting markets is Happy Clapper, who has also drifted out to a quote of $101.

Happy Clapper has been a stable star for the Randwick-based Pat Webster through his entire racing career and has already posted a number of strong results this year.

Running second in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) and third in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) most notably in autumn, the Teofilo gelding resumed this time for sixth in the Group 2 Tramway Handicap (1400m) on September 3^rd.

Since placing sixth in the Group 3 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) and fourth in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m), Happy Clapper is drawn ideally in barrier 4 and will be partnered by regular hoop Brenton Avdulla.

Winx remains a firm $1.85 favourite in Cox Plate betting markets with Ladbrokes Australia, while Hartnell ($3.60) is the only other runners available at single-figure odds.