Cox Plate Field

Luck remained with big owner Lloyd Williams when his 2007 Melbourne Cup winner Efficient made the 2011 $3m Group 1 W S Cox Plate (2040m) field.

Efficient, Avienus and Yosei were all vying for the final spot in the capacity 14 runner 2011 Cox Plate field when Moonee Valley officials gave the old grey the nod.

Williams’ galloper Green Moon gained a similar entrance to the Caulfield Cup last week and nearly pulled it off when second to Southern Speed.

Avienus and Yosei made up the two emergencies but for Yosei the 2011 Cox Plate journey was short lived with leg injury putting her out of the race on Wednesday.

Connections on Avienus have hope after the discovered injury to last start Caulfield Stakes winner Descarado.

The Gai Waterhouse stable has reported that Descarado, who was a late withdrawal at Moonee Valley’s Cox Plate Breakfast for the Stars on Tuesday morning, has swelling to the near hind leg.

It is rated a one  out of five lameness and  Waterhouse is saying her horse is a 98% chance of running in the Cox Plate of 2011.

Racing Victoria vets will exam the gelding on Friday prior to the Cox Plate but his preparation must place doubt on his chances even if he does start.

This 2011 Cox Plate hasn’t a standout star though one could emerge with both Helmet and Jimmy Choux untapped and at the top of the betting lists.

Luxbet have Helmet [$3.50]and Jimmy Choux [$3.60] clearly in front of the rest with Rekindled Interest $11 next best in Cox Plate betting.

Jimmy Choux lowered his colours to Rekindled Interest during Breakfast with the Star trackwork on Tuesday but his trainer John Bary isn’t too worried -  on the surface anyhow.

“It’s only Tuesday, I’m not worried…we’re really confident,” he said.

“The Cox Plate is run on Saturday and not Tuesday morning.”

Rekindled’s Interest, the best performed horse at Moonee Valley has his trainer Jim Conlan happy.

“He’s had a really trouble-free preparation from day one and seems to be coming to his peak at the right time,” Conlan said.

Helmet will be having his first start at the track and over the 2040m but Darley trainer Peter Snowden is confident.

Snowden said Helmet had come through his last-start Caulfield Guineas win in excellent order and was the horse to beat in the Cox Plate.

“He’s come through this run in my mind as good as he ever has done in his life,” Snowden said

“He deserves his place in this race and I’m sure he’ll run well.”

Besides Helmet -  Descarado, Glass Harmonium,  Sincero, Playing God, Shamrocker and Secret Admirer are also going to have their first start at Moonee Valley in the 2011 W S Cox Plate (2040m).

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