The 2023 Cox Plate was another worthy addition to the annals of Australia’s greatest race with Hong Kong star Romantic Warrior taking out the race.
Romantic Warrior was the perfect winner of the race as he was the best story in terms of a historical perspective on the race and that’s what invariably the Cox Plate winner represents.
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The decision by his owner Peter Lau and trainer Danny Shum to take him out of their wealthy backyard of racing and take him to Melbourne was a brave one.
It meant Hong Kong’s champion galloper had to go through Racing Victoria’s rigorous scanning CT schedules and he had to be trained from Werribee which doesn’t have an important training adjunct in a swimming pool available.
It was no wonder the pair, who aren’t known in Hong Kong for being over-exuberant after a win, were owning grins from ear to ear after the win.
The Cox Plate was a triumph for James McDonald on two significant levels.
Firstly, McDonald had to use his powers of persuasion to convince Lau and Shum to tackle the Cox Plate and then when he was here he gave his full support to them riding Romantic Warrior whenever it was possible in trackwork.
Secondly, McDonald’s race ride proved he is the best jockey riding and was a nod to tactical brilliance.
Watching the race it looked a strange move when he elected to come back a spot behind Alligator Blood at the halfway mark of the race.
McDonald though said after the race that was the winning move.
“I took a gamble about the 1000 (metres) or 1200. We elected to come back a spot and to the minute right now I believe that was the winning move. Giving my horse an extra length to come back,” McDonald said.
“I let Alligator Blood near him knowing I think I can still beat him letting him out and having last crack.”
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The second and third placegetters Mr Brightside and Alligator Blood continued their magnificent preparations and both would have been worthy winners.
