Racing: Shark gets bite at Cox Plate

Verry Elleegant winning the Group 2 Hill Stakes. She has gained a start in the Cox Plate.Photo / bradleyphotos.com.au

New Zealand raider Te Akau Shark and Sydney 3-year-old Castelvecchio have been included in the 14-horse field for the A$5 million Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m).

The two were among those in danger of missing a start but have been included, with dual Cox Plate place-getter Humidor named first emergency.

But Te Akau Shark will have to contend with the outside barrier, with no horse having won from barrier 14 in the 99-year history of Australasia's weight-for-age championship.

While pleased with making the field, trainer Jamie Richards was disheartened with the draw.

"It's going to be difficult from there, especially when it is his first time at weight-for-age in Australia," he said.

"He's going to need to be at his best but we are happy with him and hopefully we can give them a shake. We shouldn't be unlucky from out there."

The son of Rip Van Winkle worked over 1200m at 'Breakfast With The Best' at Moonee Valley yesterday morning and Richards is trying to find a silver lining to his gelding's wide gate.

"The horse worked well here [yesterday], he will appreciate a little bit of room," Richards said.

"He usually gets back, and I think around the Valley, a little bit of room is going to suit him, and hopefully he'll get a bit of momentum up down the side.

"He's going the right way. It is a big step up for him, but we are here, and this has been the aim."

The 5-year-old chestnut heads into the race in good form, having finished runner-up in each of his three starts this preparation, including a short-margin defeat to Kolding in the Group1 Epsom Handicap (1600m).

"If we had won the Epsom, he looks one of the favourites. He has run second, not beaten far, but he certainly is going the right way."

It will be the first time the 30-year-old horseman will line up a horse in the time-honoured race and he said he hopes to be back for more.

"It is a pleasure to have a horse good enough to compete on the international stage and we are very grateful for the support of our owners and to the big boss, David Ellis, for buying all of these nice horses for us," he said.

Meanwhile, prominent New Zealand owner John Carter, who shares in the ownership of both Verry Elleegant and Humidor, had mixed feelings after the former gained a start but the latter was named first emergency.

"I think she deserved to get in, but I think it is a disgrace that he didn't," Carter said. "He's come back from a major injury, which he sustained ironically in the Cox Plate last year, and it was doubtful as to whether he was ever going to race again."

Humidor will now likely contest the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) on the last day of the Flemington carnival.

Carter, who along with siblings Mark and Rachel form Jomara Bloodstock, also part-owns dual Group 1 winner Verry Elleegant and is looking for a bold run from the last start Group 2 winner.

"She will be in the paddock the day after the Cox Plate, and whatever she's doing now, she is going to be a better horse next year."

Cox Plate A$5 million

BLACK HEART BART, 59kg. Trained by Lindsey Smith, jockey Brad Rawiller, barrier 11
AVILIUS (GB), 59kg. James Cummings, Kerrin McEvoy, 7
KLUGER (JPN), 59kg. Tomokazu Takano, Tommy Berry, 9
HARLEM (GB), 59kg. David & B Hayes & T Dabernig, Dwayne Dunn, 2
HOMESMAN (USA), 59kg. Liam Howley, Ben Melham, 16
KINGS WILL DREAM (IRE), 59kg. Chris Waller, Hugh Bowman, 17
TE AKAU SHARK (NZ), 59kg. Jamie Richards, Opie Bosson, 18
DANCETERIA (FR), 59kg. David Menuisier, Jamie Spencer, 10
LYS GRACIEUX (JPN), 57kg. Yoshito Yahagi, Damian Lane, 15
MAGIC WAND (IRE), 57kg. Aidan O'Brien, Ryan Moore, 3
CAPE OF GOOD HOPE (IRE), 56.5kg. David & B Hayes & T Dabernig, Mark Zahra, 8
MYSTIC JOURNEY, 55.5kg. Adam Trinder, Anthony Darmanin, 6
VERRY ELLEEGANT (NZ), 55.5kg. Chris Waller, James McDonald, 5
CASTELVECCHIO, 49.5kg. Richard Litt, Craig Williams, 4

Emergencies:

HUMIDOR (NZ), 59kg. Ciaron Maher & David Eustace, Blake Shinn, 14
MR QUICKIE, 57.5kg. Phillip Stokes, Glen Boss,12
GAILO CHOP (FR), 59kg. Matthew Williams, Damien Oliver, 1
DREAM CASTLE (GB), 59kg. Saeed Bin Suroor, Patrick Cosgrave, 13

- NZ Racing Desk