Form expert Peter Ellis has all three international runners in his 2015 Cox Plate tips and he expects Highland Reel, Arod and Gailo Chop to fight out the finish in the Group 1 event at Moonee Valley this afternoon.
Arod is one of a number of winning chances in the 2015 Cox Plate. Photo by: Ultimate Racing Photos
Highland Reel has been on top of Cox Plate betting markets throughout the week and Ellis believes that the strength of his form in Europe as well as the similarities between him and last year’s Cox Plate winner Adelaide mean that he is the horse to beat in the Australasian Weight-For-Age Championship.
“Highland Reel has a similar form line to Adelaide last year,” Ellis told Racing And Sport.
“These are the genuine Group 1 type horses, not the Group 2 or 3.
“He was second to New Bay in the French Derby and New Bay was placed in the Arc, he went to Goodwood and won the Gordon Stakes impressively and he won the Secretariat by five and a half.
“He has had a run since and he wasn’t disgraced behind Golden Horse, so I have him on top for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore.”
Arod has flown under the radar somewhat ahead of the 2015 Cox Plate, but Ellis believes that his European form is just as impressive as that of Highland Reel.
Ellis believes that Arod will settle just behind The Cleaner in the early stages of the Cox Plate and he is confident that the Teofilo entire will be in the finish.
“I have Arod as the danger and he is a high class horse,” Ellis said.
“He was fourth in an English Derby and this time in he went to the Lockinge, which is one of the best mile races in England, he won at Epsom, he won at Ascot and last start behind Solow he was a half-length second in the Sussex.
“He will go forward and he will take a world of catching.”
Gailo Chop is currently available at the lengthy 2015 Cox Plate odds of $21 with Ladbrokes and he has not drawn the attention like the other European runners in the race, but Ellis believes that the OTI Racing-owned galloper is the best roughie in the Cox Plate field and he can figure in the finish.
“Gailo Chop is massive odds at $31 and I have got him at about $10,” Ellis said.
“He had five runs last year for four wins and this time he was second first-up behind Solow and second-up he led and got tired, but he only finished a length behind Criterion and last start he won with his head on his chest.
“He is a great chance, he will go forward and box seat.”
Highland Reel is currently available at 2015 Cox Plate odds of $6 with Ladbrokes, while Winx is now the new favourite at $5.
You can score the best 2015 Cox Plate odds with Ladbrokes, who are offering Best Tote or Starting Price +20% on every single runner in the Cox Plate field.
