Cox Plate Gives Punters Melbourne Cup Clues

Australian horse racing bettors kept a keen eye on events at Moonee Valley on Saturday with a number of Melbourne Cup runners on display in the Group 1 Cox Plate won by Shamus Award.

The Danny O’Brien-trained horse became the first maiden to win the Group 1 race with teenager Chad Schofield in the saddle, but it was the run of Fiorente which caught the eye. The five-year-old finished brilliantly for third from barrier 14 with jockey Blake Shinn forced to work his ride extra hard after being forced wide, but Fiorente held on well with a real gutsy display to finish just behind second place Happy Trails.

One-time Melbourne Cup favourite Puissance De Lune fell away badly at the turn while favourite It’s A Dundeel faded to finish eighth with Foreteller fourth past the post after a powerful finish. Bookmakers have been quick to react with Fiorente now favourite for ‘the race which stops a nation’ at best price 5.50 with a number of firms, although you can get 1/4 odds for four places with IASBet and Sportsbet.

We tipped Mount Athos at 12.00 and Luca Cumani’s charge can still be backed at a reasonable 9.00 with most firms, while Hawkspur is best odds 11.00 with Sportingbet and Luxbet and the latter aren’t taking any chances on Dandino, only offering 7.50 while other sites are quoting 11.00.

The manner of Fiorente’s latest run suggests a Melbourne Cup victory could be achievable and Foreteller’s strong finish for fourth in the Cox Plate may see some punters take a chance on the Chris Waller-trained six-year old at best odds 41.00 with IASBet and Sportsbet.