3 minute read
The four internationally-trained runners aiming to deny Australasia’s weight-for-age stars in this Saturday’s Cox Plate (2040m) will go through their final preparations at Werribee from 7am tomorrow morning.
Talented mare Magic Wand , trained by world-renowned horseman Aidan O'Brien, will gallop on the course shortly after 8am ahead of her bid to become only the second overseas raider – after her former stablemate Adelaide – to win Australasia's weight-for-age championship at The Valley.
O'Brien's travelling foreman TJ Comerford will assess the winning chances of Magic Wand, who will be ridden in the $5 million contest by one of the globe's leading jockeys, Ryan Moore.
Frenchman David Menuisier, who trains in England, will be at the TAB International Horse Centre to oversee the work of his last-start Group 1 winner Danceteria , who will make his Australian debut at The Valley after accepting the club's international invitation.
Japanese stars Kluger (Tomokazu Takano) and pre-race favourite Lys Gracieux (Yoshito Yahagi) will also stretch their legs from around 7am as they seek to continue Japan's stranglehold on Australia's major races, following Mer De Glace's victory in last week's Stella Artois Caulfield Cup (2400m).
Godolphin galloper Dream Castle will contest the Group 2 Schweppes Crystal Mile (1600m) if he does not gain a start in the Cox Plate (he is currently the fourth emergency), whilst Danceteria's stablemate Chief Ironside is also due to line up in the same race.
Magic Wand's stable companion Hunting Horn, who holds an entry for the Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m), will run in the McCafe Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m).
WHAT: Vision of the international horses competing in the Ladbrokes Cox Plate, and interviews with their connections.
WHERE: Werribee Racecourse, Racecourse Road, Werribee VIC.
WHEN:
- 7am (approximately): Horses in the Vintage Crop and Americain stables, including Lys Gracieux, Kluger, Danceteria, Chief Ironside and Dream Castle, will take to the track.
- 8am (approximately): Horses in the Newminster stable, including Magic Wand and Hunting Horn, will gallop.
