2013 Cox Plate betting markets have changed dramatically following the withdrawal of Atlantic Jewel and one of the biggest market movers has been Rekindled Interest who is into odds of $26 after starting the morning at $41.
Trainer Jim Conlan is hoping that it will be third time lucky for Rekindled Interest in the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on Saturday. Photo by: Taron Clarke
Rekindled Interest will be having his third crack at the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on Saturday and connections are hoping that he can replicate the form that saw him finish a dreadfully unlucky third behind Pinker Pinker in the 2011 edition of the race.
The Redoute’s Choice gelding finished at the tail of the field in last year’s race but was found to be lame after the race and had operations on both his throat and knees before returning for the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival.
Rekindled Interest started his campaign with a most impressive second place finish, carrying the top weight of 61kg, in the Listed Drummond Golf Stakes (1200m) and returned to Group 1 level with a 12th place finish in the Epsom Handicap (1600m).
Trainer Jim Conlan said that Rekindled Interest did not handle the firmness of the Royal Randwick track in the Epsom Handicap and is confident that the Group 2 winner will be better suited when he returns to Moonee Valley on Saturday.
“It sounds like I always make excuses for him but he doesn’t like a firm track and that track just firmed up as the day went on,” Conlan told Sky Racing HQ.
“He didn’t let go as a result of being held up at a crucial stage for him.
“It was still an ok run, he came through it a bit gingerly and he was a bit sore the week after, but I think that he is in pretty good order for Saturday.”
Conlan does the majority of the trackwork riding on Rekindled Interest at the Pinecliff Racing facilities in Mornington and believes that the talented galloper feels just as good as he did heading into the 2011 Cox Plate.
“I think that he is going every bit as good as he was when he ran third in the Cox Plate,” Conlan said.
“Today I took him to Moonee Valley because I could just see that he was feeling well and fresh and I just didn’t want him too sharp for the race on Saturday.
“We took him out there this morning and gave him a light gallop and he was good.”
Conlan was hoping to have two runners in the Cox Plate but Australian Guineas winner Ferlax pulled up sore after running in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield just over a week ago and has been sent to the spelling paddock.
