Caulfield Guineas winner Long John has firmed from $21 into $11 to win the WS Cox Plate following confirmation today that the three year-old will run in the $3 million weight for age championship at Moonee Valley on Saturday week.
Trainer Peter Snowden revealed his plans for Long John and last Saturday's Spring Champion Stakes winner Complicate with the latter to press ahead to a start in the Victoria Derby at Flemington on November 2.
Snowden said the race plans for the two G1 winners was resolved after discussions with owner Sheikh Mohammed's thoroughbred management team in Dubai.
Both horses are likely to head overseas to join Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin stable next year.
Sheikh Mohammed has made several attempts to win the Cox Plate without success, either with horses he has sent from the northern hemisphere under the Godolphin banner or more recently with his Australian-based runners.
His best result has been a third with Godolphin runner Grandera in 2002. In 2011 the Shiekh Mohammed-owned and Snowden-trained Caulfield Guineas winner Helmet finished eighth as favourite.
Stable jockey Kerrin McEvoy will ride Long John at 49.5kg in the Cox Plate. He made the weight two years ago for Helmet.
The program announced for Long John also indicates that Sheikh Mohammed's outstanding filly Guelph is not being considered for a Cox Plate start after she runs in Wednesday's Thousand Guineas at Caulfield.
Complacent is to have his next start in either the Geelong Derby trial next Wednesday or in the Moonee Valley Vase on Cox Plate day as his final lead-up to the Derby.
Snowden and Sheikh Mohammed's best results in the Victoria derby are a second with Induna in 2011 and third with Retrieve in 2010.
Sportingbet Australia's Michael Felgate said the addition of Long John to the Cox Plate field brings a new dimension to the betting dominated by super mare Atlantic Jewel.
“It's a tough race for three year-olds to win but with his racing style and toughness he has to be given a chance, especially with no weight on his back” Felgate said.
“Peter Snowden wouldn't run him in the race unless he thought he was a genuine chance, I expect he will be very popular with punters. It adds another layer of intrigue to what is shaping as the race of the spring.”
Atlantic Jewel dominates betting at $2.25 ahead of Fiorente at $5. Puissance De Lune is out to $6 with one-time second favourite It's a Dundeel at $6.50 after suffering a hoof abscess.
Guelph, has eased from $15 out to $17.
“We don't think Darley will run two three year-olds in the Cox Plate even if she wins impressively tomorrow so we are willing to risk her now that Long John is a confirmed starter,” Felgate said.
2013 SPORTINGBET COX PLATE
Sportingbet Market
Atlantic Jewel $2.25
Fiorente $5.50
Puissance De Lune $6.00
It’s A Dundeel $6.50
Long John $11
Guelph $17.00
Happy Trails $17.00
Green Moon $22.00
Super Cool $31.00
Hawkspur $31.00
Sea Moon $31.00
Royal Descent $41.00
Rekindled Interest $41.00
Foreteller $41.00
Trevieres $41.00
