Tryster not coming for Cox Plate

The Godolphin owned English trained Tryster won’t be travelling to Melbourne for the Group 1 $3m Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 22.

Winx, above, is the dominant favourite for the 2016 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Winx, above, is the dominant favourite for the 2016 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

The Charlie Appleby trained Tryster was due to join other Cox Plate invitee French galloper Vadamos in quarantine at Newmarket but the Shamardal six year old won’t be heading down under with a Japanese or Hong Kong campaign a likely alternative.

Tryster’s Group 1 winning performance came with a victory in the US$300,000 Jebel Hatta (1800m) at Meydan in Dubai in March.

“Tryster did not enter quarantine in Newmarket overnight with stablesmates Scottish, Second Wave, Oceangrapher and Qewy, he will therefore not be contesting the Group 1 Cox Plate,” Appleby said.

“There is a very good program of races including the Group 1 Tenno Sho in Japan in October and the Hong Kong International Cup at Sha Tin in December, which are better suited for the horse before his winter campaign in Dubai.

“His Highness Sheikh Mohammed maintains strong interest in winning the Cox Plate and the desire to have Godolphin runners compete is as strong as ever and we will hopefully be back with a horse in the future.

“We thank the Moonee Valley Racing Club Committee for their invitation and look forward to competing in the Spring Carnival with our other runners.”

The Andre Faber trained Vadamos will arrive in Australia on the back of a win in the Group 1 €450,000 QATAR Prix Du Moulin De Longchamp (1600m) at Chantilly, France on September 11 and is on the four the line of betting for the Cox Plate at $17 with Ladbrokes.com.au.

Chris Waller’s super mare Winx dominates the early betting for the Cox Plate and is marked at $2.40 to defend her Cox Plate title after scoring a four and three quarter lengths demolition in last year’s Weight For Age Championship of Australasia.

Winx kicked off her Cox Plate defence campaign with a first up win in the Group 2 $250,000 Warwick Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on August 20 and will start a short priced favourite at Randwick on Saturday in the Group 1 $500,000 Colgate Optic White Stakes (George Main Stakes) (1600m).

Early Cox Plate market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $2.40 Winx, $13 Hartnell, $15 The United States, Tosen Stardom, $17 Vadamos, $19 Divine Prophet, Palentino, $21 Highland Reel, Lucia Valentina, Omei Sword, $26 Black Heart Bart, Evacuation.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.