In 2019, star Japanese mare Lys Gracieux, trained by Yoshito Yahagi and ridden by our own Damian Lane won the Group 1 Takarazuka Kinen in a dazzling display. The victory earnt her the chance to win the rich $2million Ladbrokes Cox Plate International Bonus if she were to also win the Ladbrokes Cox Plate later that year. With expectations rising, Lys Gracieux came to The Valley as one of the best credentialed horses ever to touch down in Australia, and left us star struck as she made history by becoming the first Japanese-trained winner of the Cox Plate.
While in 2021, due to covid-19 restraints the Ladbrokes Cox Plate Boost will be put on hold, the Moonee Valley Racing Club will look to invite this year’s winner of the 2021 Takarazuka Kinen to the Ladbrokes Cox Plate on October 23.
Here are the leading chances for this year's race on Sunday June 27.
Chrono Genesis, 5yo mare
13: 7-2-3 | AUD $12,980,074
Defending champion and overall superstar who is a three-time G1 winner. Won this race very arrogantly last year by a widening six lengths. Then bumped into wonder mare Almond Eye (1st) and two-mile specialist Fierement (2nd) and ran a nice 3rd over 2000m. Returned to winning ways in the Arima Kinen over 2500m and turned the result on Fierement in a close three-way finish with Salacia.
Most recent display in the Sheema Classic in Dubai ran 2nd but was disadvantaged when getting into a bumping duel the entire straight with fellow Japanese star mare Loves Only You. Ultimately Mishriff got the uninterrupted passage to the outside of them and won the race by 0.3L.
Verdict: Doesn’t seem to have many chinks in her armor. If she’s travelled back well from Dubai she’ll be very hard to beat. Effective from 1600m all the way to 2500m and is deserving of her short quote. She won’t want to give Lei Papale too big of a head start but she is clearly the one to beat.
Cox Plate: Currently $17 for the Cox Plate and $21 for The Arc. Would be challenging Zaaki for Cox Plate favourtism if she won here and came for the Cox Plate.
Lei Papale, 4yo mare
6: 6-0-0 | AUD $2,811,950
Up and comer who is unbeaten from six starts. Her greatest success to date came in her most recent start in the G1 Osaka Hai (2000m) where she tackled A-graders Contrail, Gran Alegria and Salios and gave them all a beating. Starting $11 on the fourth line of betting she led throughout and scored comfortably by four lengths.
It was an upset result given the hefty profiles of some of her more fancied rivals, but it was a rain-affected track and they clearly didn’t handle it like Lei Papale. Take nothing away from the performance, she was the big x-factor runner and won impressively, but reserve final judgements for whether she can repeat that effort and beat a similar class of field on a firm surface.
Verdict: Hard to know what her ceiling is. She was beating up on lesser opposition before last start but then exploded in the conditions and won by her biggest ever margin in her first Group 1 start. Extra 200m here but there’s no reason why she can’t lead again and prove very difficult to run down.
Cox Plate: Currently $17 in Cox Plate betting. She’s also shorter than Chrono Genesis in The Arc. They both might not go there, but it gives you an indication of the respect bookies have for her unbeaten record despite being the 2nd pick here.
Curren Bouquetd’or, 5yo mare
15: 2-7-3 | AUD $5,483,674
Ultra-consistent mare but ultimately has just bumped into a few better in her career to date. Ran a game 3rd last start over 3200m to World Premiere but trainer Sakae Kunieda believes the step back to 2200m will suit. Hard to argue with him given she hit the front and just felt the pinch late there and she beat home World Premiere over 2500m the start prior.
The clear knock is Chrono Genesis has had her measure 3 out of the 4 times they’ve met, but if the favourite is off then she could have her day in the sun.
Verdict: Can win if she finds her perfect storm but all things equal, she is at her rightful place on the third line of betting.
Cox Plate: Not in any futures markets.
Aristoteles, 4yo horse
12: 4-5-0 | AUD $2,517,122
The strongest rated chance of the boys in a race dominated by mares. Comes through the 3200m Tenno Sho, the same race as Curren Bouquetd'or and finished right on the heels of her in 4th. Won a G2 race over 2200m first up on a heavy track and only blemish this prep was the start in between which can be forgiven.
In his 3yo season he won two races at 2000m and 2200m, and placed 2nd three times, with a 0.3L margin to Contrail (Japan’s champion two-year-old and three-year-old colt in 2019 and 2020) in the Japanese St. Leger the highlight of his career so far.
Verdict: Very talented. That race he finished second to Contrail was over 3000m, but they gapped 3rd by a further 3.8L which is always a good sign that the form is strong.
Cox Plate: Not in Cox Plate markets but is $51 for the Melbourne Cup.
Kiseki, 7yo horse
29: 4-6-5 | AUD $8,641,121
Hasn’t won since the 2017 Japanese St. Leger which doesn’t read well but he has been extremely gallant in defeat in many of his races since. Has run 2nd in this race the past two years! Albeit he was beaten 3L by eventual Cox Plate winner Lys Gracieux in 2019 and 6L by Chrono Genesis last year.
Last start ran in the hotly contested G1 QEII Cup at Sha Tin and ran 4th behind Loves Only You, Glory Vase and Daring Tact to round out an all-Japanese first four. Beat home the recently retired Exultant.
Verdict: A grand campaigner who has won nearly AUD $9million. He probably doesn’t have the improvement needed to win this, but you couldn’t leave him out of trifectas at $21.
Cox Plate: Not in Cox Plate markets.
Mozu Bello, 5yo horse
18: 4-4-1 | AUD $3,012,949
Can mix his form but capable of running very well in this grade. Finished 2nd to Lei Papale beaten 4L last start but beat home the hot favourite Contrail by just under a length. In his three previous starts he was well beaten by Loves Only You, Aristoteles and Chrono Genesis.
Did run 3rd in this race last year but was beaten 11L by Chrono Genesis and 4L by Kiseki.
Verdict: Would be a shock result. Can run into the money but must turn around many lengths on multiple horses in this race who have already had his measure.
Cox Plate: Not in Cox Plate markets but is $41 for the Caulfield Cup.