Sacred Falls On The Drift In Cox Plate Betting

Sacred Falls is now out to 2014 Cox Plate odds of $8 and continues to drift in betting markets for the Group 1 event at Moonee Valley this afternoon.

Trainer Chris Waller remains confident that Sacred Falls can win the 2014 Cox Plate. Photo by: Steve Hart

Trainer Chris Waller remains confident that Sacred Falls can win the 2014 Cox Plate. Photo by: Steve Hart

Sacred Falls was on the second line of betting at a quote of $6 when the Cox Plate field and barrier draw was released on Tuesday morning, but the O’Reilly entire has received very little support during the week despite taking strong form into the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m).

The five-year-old was sent to the spelling paddock after he finished an impressive second behind It’s A Dundeel in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on April 19 and returned to the races with a fourth place finish in the Group 2 Warwick Stakes (1400m) on August 23 before producing a similar performance in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) on September 6.

Sacred Falls returned to winning form with a maiden victory at weight-for-age level in the Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on September 20 and the race was not run to suit when he worked home strongly to finish fourth in the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on October 11.

Jockey Zac Purton revealed after the Caulfield Stakes that he is still not convinced that Sacred Falls is able to run a strong 2000 metres, but Waller told Sky Racing HQ that he has been happy with the Cox Plate form of the talented entire.

“It is considering last start we went back in a race that wasn’t that quick,” Waller said.

“He got to the line very well and I see the last six months of the horse as being much stronger than previous before and that form in the last six months is very good.”

One of the reasons for the lengthening of the Cox Plate odds of Sacred Falls may be his awkward barrier draw and the four-time Group 1 winner will likely need some luck to be able to take out the Australasian Weight-For-Age Championship.

Waller is hoping that the expected quick tempo in the early stages of the Cox Plate will suit Sacred Falls and he trusts that the in-form Purton will be able to overcome the tricky barrier.

“We have a great jockey on board in Zac Purton and he knows that horse really well,”

“I guess it is just a matter of how they jump, how much speed is on and if they open up some gaps.

“Hopefully for his sake it will because he will just need that bit of luck.”

Sacred Falls is still rated the leading Waller-trained chance in the 2014 Cox Plate betting market from Royal Descent ($11) and Foreteller ($34).

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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.