3 minute read

And now we are three but maybe four

Sadly Magic Wand has been scratched as she was found to be lame in the right fore, possible a hoof abscess.  While she hasn't been in top form this year, she did thrive on her last visit to Australia when she won the Mackinnon and then went on to Hong Kong where she ran second in the Hong Kong Cup and then she went to Florida and ran second in the Pegasus International.

Aidan O'Brien's other runner Armory has been passed fit to run and he has to stand a very good chance.  A 3yo Galileo colt he's had 11 starts for 4 wins and five placings at the top level.  His last outing was in the G! Irish Champion Stakes where he was third behind Magical and Ghaiyyath and in front of Sottsass who won the Arc at his next outing.  While he has been behind Magical a couple of times there is no runner of that calibre in this version of the Cox Plate.  He's drawn well and Ben Melham has the ride.

Aspetar is by Al Khazeem and has 13 starts with 5 wins and 4 placings.  He won the G2 York  Stakes and won a listed prior to that as he worked his way up the grades.  He's a 5yo so doesn't get a weight advantage. Drawn well and Damian Lane rides.  Not sure how he will handle the Valley and its tight turns.

Sir Dragonet is a 4yo by Camelot and was second in the Irish Gold Cup with Amory 4th.  He used to be with Aidan O'Brien so has had a good prep and has had 9 starts for 2 wins and 4 placings. The race before the Gold Cup saw him beaten by Buckhurst in the G3 Alleged Stakes.  Glen Boss rides for his new stable of Maher-Eustace.  Drawn well.

We wrote about Buckhurst who now looks like getting a start in this.  His run wasn't that impressive in the Caulfield Cup.  Jamie Kah has the ride this week.