Racing: Youngsters line up for Gai and Bart

The task ahead of three-year-olds Manhattan Rain and So You think in the Cox Plate is daunting but the two youngsters are prepared by two of the most remarkable and recognisable trainers in Australia.

Gai Waterhouse puts the polish on Manhattan Rain while So You Think is in the care of Bart Cummings.

Waterhouse is the daughter of the late T.J. Smith, one of Cummings' great rivals.

After working for her father for many years, she fought a protracted battle to become a trainer while the Australian Jockey Club refused to give her a licence because her husband Robbie was a warned-off person.

Waterhouse eventually won her case and the Sexual Discrimination Act was altered to include the Waterhouse Amendment.

Her impact on racing was immediate and her outstanding record since 1992, coupled with her relentless enthusiasm and energy, injected racing with a much needed hit.

Cummings' enthusiasm for racing remains unabated after more than 60 years in the business and he comes into his own during the spring.

Not for nothing is he known as the Cups King but there are plenty of other trophies in his cabinet including three Cox Plates.

His last was in 1997 with Dane Ripper, who was to most a supposedly last-minute inclusion into the race despite Cummings giving her plenty of practice at Moonee Valley.

So You Think is the least experienced horse in the field but Cummings opted to aim him at the Cox Plate in preference to the Victoria Derby which he feels is too taxing.

"The Derby horses are still two-year-olds and 2500 metres around Flemington is too much for them," Cummings said.

"I think the Derby at this time of year should be 2000 metres and then they can come back in the autumn and run 2400 at Randwick."

Dato Tan Chin Nam's bloodstock agent Duncan Ramage paid $110,000 for So You Think in New Zealand with the long-term aim that the son of High Chaparral would become a Classic contender and Melbourne Cup prospect.

In contrast, Manhattan Rain did not go through the sale ring and is raced by his breeder Muzaffar Yaseen's Teeley Assets. An Encosta De Lago half-brother to Yaseen's group one winner and champion sire Redoute's Choice, Manhattan Rain's win in the group one AJC Sires' Produce Stakes assured he would be a valuable asset at stud.

A win in the Cox Plate has some estimating his worth at a conservative A$60 million-plus on his retirement from the track and who knows how much if he becomes a successful stallion.

Waterhouse has yet to win a Cox Plate with her best placing so far a second when Lotteria had the misfortune to have to race against the great Makybe Diva in 2005.

In 1996 the Waterhouse-trained All Our Mob ran third to Cummings' sentimental favourite Saintly, a horse who spent his three-year-old season in the shadow of Octagonal who included the Cox Plate among his wins that year.

Manhattan Rain's opposition may come from Waterhouse's other runner, Rock Kingdom.

The four-year-old's owners paid a A$130,000 late fee to put the Epsom Handicap winner in the Cox Plate and that in itself must be respected.

Whobegotyou remains the dominant favourite for the race and has been for some months.

Last year, Mark Kavanagh decided he was too immature to run in the weight-for-age championship and boldly predicted he would be back in a major way in 2009 as he picked up the Cox Plate with stablemate Maldivian.

The last three-year-old to win the race was Savabeel in 2004 with champion filly Samantha Miss a gallant third in 2008.

Maturity may be a factor for So You Think who goes into the race at just his fifth start. Speed is also a key with a small doubt over likely leader, veteran New Zealander Sir Slick who will be having his 105th start.

Sir Slick has had a hoof problem this week and will be inspected this morning to determine whether he can start.

But Kavanagh for one isn't too concerned, believing the eight-year-old may lead, but not necessarily at the pace expected.

"We've done the right thing by waiting until this year," he said.

"The horse is as good as I can get him and there is nothing else to do but turn up."

- AAP