It was a controversial Cox Plate carnival from the Keiai Nautique drama on Tuesday to the scratching of Gold Trip and Zaaki, before a lengthy protest after the running of the Cox Plate itself. Whilst in Sydney it was the running of the inaugural Invitation and the third edition of the Bondi Stakes which were taken out by Icebath and Hilal respectively.
1. Upheld or Dismissed?
With the scratchings of Gold Trip on Friday and Zaaki on race morning the field was narrowed down to eight. It wasn’t an all time classic field but it was a genuine spectacle with the ‘greatest two minutes in sport’ lasting over 35 minutes. After the lone international trained raider in the field State Of Rest burst through the pack it looked his Cox Plate before Anamoe snuck up the inside. There was a little bump causing Craig Williams to lodge a protest which will go down as one of the more controversial protests. The question is Upheld or Dismissed? Let us know in the comments punters.
2. Icebath breaks through for well deserved feature win.
After running second in both the Golden Eagle and the Doncaster in the past twelve months she finally broke through taking out the inaugural Invitation. Scheduled to run straight after the Cox Plate, the newest feature at Randwick became a little bit of a side show with all focus on the pending protest. It didn’t bother Icebath connections who now have a horse who has won an incredible $3,381,170.
3. Hilal takes out Bondi.
The Stan Fox winner took out another feature three-year-old race to cap off a fruitful campaign for the Team Hawkes colt. For Coastwatch backers it was an ugly watch with the second favourite not getting the best of runs. It was the third running of the Bondi with Kubrick and Peltzer taking out the first two editions.
4. Forgot You on target for Derby test.
After an eye-catching run in the Caulfield Guineas, Forgot You started the odds on favourite in the Group 2 Vase at The Valley on Saturday. There were a few nervous for favourite backers but he got there in the final bounds beating home his $101 stablemate. Forgot You now heads to the Victorian Derby as the favourite with the carrot of a run in the Melbourne Cup if he were to win.
5. Flying Mascot flies into Group 1 Empire Rose contention.
The attention was still on the protest in the Cox Plate when Flying Mascot dominated the final race of the day at The Valley. It was a very impressive win considering the opposition beating home Starelle, Annavisto and Princess Jenni. The Tom Dabernig trained mare will now potentially back up next week in the Group 1 Empire Rose if she comes through her victory well.
Looking ahead to next weekend…
Cup week is upon us with Derby Day kicking off the fabulous four days at Flemington. In Sydney it’s the Golden Eagle which takes centre stage with a massive $7.5 million dollars up for grabs.
