Irish bred entire, Adelaide, turned in a phenomenal performance, rarely seen, to win a memorable Cox Plate.

It all unfolded at the half way stage of the race when Irish rider Ryan Moore, threw caution to the winds in a bold bid to stake his claim in the prestigious Group 1 race.

Ryan Moore, who had only ridden twice in two previous rides at Moonee Valley, when he finished second on the Chris Waller trained Bull Point in race five on the program.

Call it a suicide a run if you wish but Ryan had no options at that stage, he had to go wide, there was no other avenue, at least he had an uninterrupted passage.

Adelaide wrote a new chapter into the race, it is now a global event, but don’t expect it to be easy pickings for raiders, it still has to be won and you need the horse with a touch of class.

The winner is a lightly raced four year old, having had just seven starts going into the Cox Plate, winning three times at Group level and filling four placings, his total stake earnings were $815,279.

In contrast the take home cheque for winning the Cox Plate was $1.8 million, and a $35,000 trophy to boot.

Illustrating our racing is firmly cemented on the world stage, but look out for the invasion, our prize money is looking very attractive to the international raiders.

The race was run free of interference; The Cleaner began well and was among the leaders turning out of the straight, but was covering a lot ground in his search looking for the rails.

Finally he got across but used a lot of gas in doing so; Adelaide was just biding his time, Ryan Moore was in no hurry at that stage.

Finish of the Cox Plate

There was gasp from the crowd when The Cleaner opened up a gap at the 800 metres corner, however, the challengers were beginning to appear, Nick Hall was riding the perfect race on the favourite, Fawkner, he was ready to strike, and in the distance the white cap of Ryan Moore began to get closer.

Fawkner looked like having them on a plate when he shot clear at the top of the straight; bookmakers were shuddering in their boots until the saviour, in the form of the Irish invader, appeared on the scene.

Fawkner was gallant in defeat, a great run and a great ride by Nick Hall, as for the others, Silent Achiever tried hard from a long back to finish third, Side Glance and Foreteller were not disgraced, while The Cleaner was honest to the core, as for the others little could be said.

Ryan Moore was jubilant in his praise of Adelaide saying, “he did it the hard way, I believe he brought his best form to Melbourne, he was the best horse in the race, he had to come from last and still won” 

Adelaide winning the Cox Plate

In a year when our likely staying three year olds are falling off the perch, Moonovermanhattan has put his case forward as a likely Derby aspirant after his win at Moonee Valley in the Vase.

His only previous win in five starts was at Morphettville back in May, however, in his defence he has given the impression he would get further.

The 2040 metres of the Vase is a strong pointer for the Classic to be decided at Flemington on Saturday.

He was always perched up behind the leader, Zululand; all the way, it was just a matter of him obliging when Craig Newitt called upon him.

Mick Price summed the colt up as a good looking youngster,” he stands over quite a bit of ground, he’s a big clean winded colt with a lovely temperament and is quite sound.”

Atmosphere started favourite on the strength his second to Magicool at Flemington, while he ran on fairly he is still a maiden, that might help to illustrate the quality of our current three year old brigade.

The filly, Go Indy Go, who came home very well, will go to the Oaks and on the Vase run she can give them plenty of curry on Thursday week at headquarters.

Moonovermanhattan - Derby prospect

The Cox Plate is among the most competitive races at weight for age in the world, and the hardest to win.

Since the race was first run in 1922, to honour the founder of Moonee Valley, William Samuel Cox, the race has attracted more champions than any other race on the calendar.

Whilst we lack the proven weight for age horses this season’s, Sportingbet Cox Plate still retains its magic, the race that provides sheer theatre.

While many of the stars that will contest the race were on show at Moonee Valley’s Breakfast With The Stars, on Tuesday morning, the favourite, Fawkner, was missing, he was not hogging the limelight, instead he was at Mount Macedon finishing off his final gallop.

Fawkner has the ideal draw, he will come out of barrier four and his form, a last start winner, when he defeated Criterion in the Caulfield Stakes, he is a worthy favourite for the Cox Plate.

He has the best form at weight for age this season, a great run at Flemington in the Makybe Dive Stakes when narrowly beaten by Dissident, then going on to win the Caulfield Stakes.

That was by far the best weight for age race run this season he showed great tenacity and the will to win.

He is a great fighter, he never gives in, nor does his rider, Nick Hall, they have a perfect understanding that saw them combining to win last year’s Caulfield Cup.

Hall should have no trouble of taking up a handy position from barrier four; he will be able to give the favourite a winning chance from there.

Criterion is also drawn in a handy spot, he will get the run of the race from there, yet to win at weight for age, his last start was impressive.

Adelaide on his reputation alone has to be considered, although he is drawn wide, how he handles the first turn could be a concern, but certainly he adds a lot of interest to the race.

The Cleaner is in the gate alongside of Adelaide, he no doubt will lead at some stage, but to get there he is sure to burn up a lot of energy.

He will surely be the crowd favourite, if he happens to win the grandstand will surely be in need of re-blocking.

Happy Trails may have had his chance last year when finishing second to Shamus Award, he was then coming off a win in the Turnbull Stakes, his form has really slipped since then.

Sacred Falls - Hugh Bowman up - working with Foreteller with Justine Hales up

With a long sustained run Admire Rakti proved the superior stayer in winning the Caulfield Cup for Japan.

He adjusted well to what could only be described as muddling pace set by Sea Moon, there was no quickening of that pace until halfway down the railway side when James McDonald took up the initiative and drove Rising Romance to the lead.

She was parked back on the fence travelling well for most of the race, until the Japanese invader staked his claim in the straight.

It had been a long sustained preparation that has stood him in great stead, he had put in the hard yards and they were now answering.

Admire Rakti was the better horse beyond question, his Caulfield Cup win has earned him a penalty of 0.5 kg for the Melbourne Cup, taking his weight to 58.5 kg.

It is going to be hard trying to make a case for any of the beaten brigade from Saturday, as far as the Melbourne Cup is concerned.

Lucia Valentina was gallant in running third, she came from behind the winner, however, there is a question there if she will get any further?

The Caulfield Cup was a great result for Japan, and another example that winter form is long gone before spring has arrived.

Admire Rakti is not the best horse in Japan by far, yet he proved the best horse in the Caulfield Cup when he received his biggest pay day, and it is not over yet, Flemington could be the swan song.

Admire Rakti wins the Caulfield Cup 

Jockeys don’t stay about as they used to, after they have completed their engagements for the day it is often a quick exit to the car park.

That is how it was for Damian Lane, rider of the first winner, Sea Spray, at Caulfield; he was seen leaving the course before the running of the second race.

Apprentices that once depended on transport to the races all have cars these days, once they have completed their engagements, it’s now home James and don’t spare the horses.

Former handicapper, Gordon Rees, had a prior engagement before attending the Caulfield Cup; it was the centenary celebration of the Seaford State School where he attended as a child.

An old school picture was to be the centre of scrutiny; Rees sitting on the end of the front row, and at the end of the second row was Colin Alderson.

There could have been some reminiscences when old school chums got together, but that will have to wait for another day, the Alderson family had Counted engaged in the last race, but he was scratched, needless to say so was Colin.

Robert Smerdon holds a strong hand in the forthcoming fillies’ races with Fontein Ruby and Crafty; both were again impressive at Caulfield.

The Derby is a raffle at this stage, Guineas winner, Shooting To Win, has returned to Sydney, while runner up, Rich Enuff, will take on the Danehill Stakes.

It is a poor reflection on the colts to play second fiddle to the fillies; at least the male gender should be line balling the fillies in the spring as three year olds.

There is need for concern, the Derby is not looking very flash at this stage, an ordinary bunch of three year olds, and is not going to get any better as four year olds.

Our weight for age horses are sadly depleted, champions make news, the turnstiles don’t require oiling when good horses are about.

Those that supported The Offer for the Melbourne Cup are entitled to become a wee bit disenchanted, he is doing nothing all, we hear he needs two miles, from where I sit he needs ten, and he would not be a good thing then.

He did nothing in the Caulfield Cup, too many excuses are made for him, it is time we saw a little sprinkle of hope for our well earned, all he has done to date is continue to blow in the market.