Before we get to the Cox Plate on Saturday, the star sprinters that did not start in the Everest will do battle in the $2million MVRC Manikato Stakes (1200m) on Friday night with quality three year-olds Coolangatta (Written Tycoon) and Best of Bordeaux (Snitzel) among the 14 acceptors.
Second and third in the Golden Slipper, Coolangatta and Best of Bordeaux both come into this assignment off last start wins.
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace trained Coolangatta claimed her first Group I win at The Valley when beating the older horses to win the Group I MVRC Moir Stakes (1000m), while Best of Bordeaux ploughed through the mud to win the Group II ATC Roman Consul Stakes (1200m).
Best of Bordeaux has never raced in Melbourne and stretched his legs at Tuesday morning’s Breakfast with the Best trackwork session at Moonee Valley.
A go forward runner, Best of Bordeaux will need all his brilliance after drawing gate 14, but will come in a couple of spots when the emergencies come out, while Coolangatta has drawn ideally in gate one.
The big stumbling block for the young guns is Godolphin’s four year-old New Approach (IRE) stallion Paulele, who looked sensational second up winning the Group II MRC Schillaci Stakes and gets his chance to land a first G1.
A good gate and J Mac to ride may see Paulele get the Cox Plate part started early for Godolphin!
