| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LIGHT INFANTRY MAN (FR) | Ciaron Maher | Ethan Brown | 9 |
| 2 | ANTINO (NZ) | Tony Gollan | Blake Shinn | 6 |
| 3 | ATTRITION | Mitchell Freedman | Craig Williams | 2 |
| 4 | BUCKAROO (GB) | Chris Waller | Mark Zahra | 4 |
| 5 | GLOBE (NZ) | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Ben Melham | 7 |
| 6 | VIA SISTINA (IRE) | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 5 |
| 7 | TREASURETHE MOMENT | Matt Laurie | Damian Lane | 1 |
| 8 | AELIANA (NZ) | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 8 |
| 9 | NEPOTISM | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Zac Lloyd | 3 |
Small field for this year’s Cox Plate, so barriers probably aren’t as important as they otherwise might be.
A unique facet of the Cox Plate barrier draw is that horses are chosen with connections then getting to choose their barrier from those available, which is an indicator of sorts as to who has drawn to advantage!
The Speed Map:
Assuming Globe runs, he’s the leader in the race. Listening to Ciaron Maher speak on Tuesday morning, they’d like Light Infantry Man to roll forward; given he can be a touch slow the wide draw is ideal as Ethan Brown can balance him up and then try and roll forward as they make their way down the straight. Treasurethe Moment has an early look at the top and provided Lane is happy with how fast Globe is going then she ends up leader’s back. Via Sistina looks like she’s going to get a lovely run in the race.
Winners:
Via Sistina – She’s the biggest winner drawing gate five. She has drawn gate one or two in her past five starts, and whilst she’s won three of those, I don’t think a low draw here would’ve suited. J-Mac will have the length of the straight to assess how fast they might go in the Cox Plate before finding his position, and the mare has two key dangers in Aeliana and Antino drawn to his outside, which I think is a key advantage. Ultimately, I suspect Via Sistina is either going to end up in front of both Aeliana and Antino, or make either of them work to get in front of her early.
Antino – Gates 5-9 are always going to be better for Antino than 1-4 as he’s a horse that thrives on room. Suspect Blake Shinn drifts back early, but looks to make a run from the 800m onwards, attempting to catch his rivals napping – this draw gives him the option to ride the race he wants.
Jury out:
Treasurethe Moment – Come race nine, day two of the Carnival on a track that is well documented to be at the end of its life, with rain in the forecast, there’s a chance the inside is no good and gate one is tricky. But, all things being equal and assuming a fair track, Treasurethe Moment has the gate speed to be in the early firing line. She has drawn one in all three runs this campaign and has been among the best to begin in each start, so she should hold Attrition out early. Globe likely crosses her, but Damian Lane can at least have an early look and assess options. I know the barrier was picked second-last, so easy to say it’s a negative, but think she has the gate speed and jockey on board to make the most of it.
Losers:
Aeliana – Nothing to do with the fact the last winner to jump from gate eight was 1957! This mare could’ve comfortably found herself 1×1 from gate three or four, but from gate eight I think she’s back in the last couple.
