October 20 - Over the next few weeks, Australian horse racing action is set to reach dizzying heights with the exciting AUD$3-million 2008 Cox Plate (Gr 1) to look forward to this Saturday at Moonee Valley Racing Club followed by the auspicious AUD$5 million Melbourne Cup on November 4th.

One Cox Plate hopeful is the Kris Lee-trained Samantha Miss - who after some excellent workouts in the past week - has her trainer feeling very confident about her chances this weekend over the tricky 2040m Moonee Valley distance. Her highly experienced jockey, Glen Boss, is in complete agreement.

'She has run very well in the last few weeks and I believe she won't mind the track at all. On Tuesday last week we gave her a little taste of the track and she seemed to take it in her stride. Despite being out on her own and with all the Moonee Valley scenery to distract her, she was surprisingly focused,' he said.

With a reputation for winning the races that count, Boss' confidence in Samantha Miss will surely bode well for both bookies and punters ahead of the Cox Plate. In fact the jockey - who couldn't seem to stop 'gushing' about Samantha Miss and her current form - said that she had the makings of a 'top class horse'.

However, ahead of the race on Saturday Boss will have his work cut out for him as he concentrates on completing a tough training regime to allow him to make Samantha Miss' Cox Plate weight of 47.5kg. Given the jockey's previous record and high level of professionalism, he should have no problem.

Said Boss, 'I am scheduled to ride Samantha Miss in the Breakfast With Stars Gallop tomorrow morning (Tuesday, October 21st) which I am looking forward to. I have a really good feeling about her in the Cox Plate because she is capable of getting herself out of a tough spot using her blinding acceleration.'

Most sportsbooks have Samantha Miss as the second favorite in Cox Plate betting at $4, behind the New Zealand-bred Kelt Capital Stakes winner, Princess Coup, a horse that Boss himself rode to a third place in last year's Caulfield Cup. 'Princess Coup should not be underestimated as I think she has improved greatly,' he said.

Our Cox Plate pick to win the race is the lightly-weighted Samantha Miss!

Other Articles:

Royal Day Chalks up Win in Michaelmas Handicap - 10-22-08

Pick Six at Belmont Park tops $1 Million - 10-22-08

New Approach Retires a True Champion - 10-21-08

Excitement Building for Breeders Cup Classic 08 - 10-21-08

2008 Breeders Cup Turf Loses Talented Runner - 10-20-08

2008 Melbourne Cup Runner Profound Beauty Injured - 10-19-08

Bumper Fields Expected at 2008 Breeders Cup - 10-18-08

New Approach Going for Third Gr 1 Victory Today - 10-18-08


2012/04/02 09:27:50 PM