Multiple Group 1 winning Japanese galloper Chrono Genesis has been installed as the new favourite for the Group 1 $5m Ladbrokes Cox Plate 100 (2040m) at The Valley on October 24.
Verry Elleegant, above, is well fancied in the early betting for the 2020 Ladbrokes Cox Plate at The Valley. Photo by Steve Hart.
Chrono Genesis now heads the Cox Plate betting at Ladbrokes.com.au at $11, just ahead of the Team Hawkes trained Master Of Wine, South Australian Derby winner Russian Camelot and the Chris Waller trained Verry Elleegant at $12.
The Takashi Saito trained Chrono Genesis earned Cox Plate favouritism with a commanding win in the Group 1 JPY ¥291,400,000 The Takarazuka Kinen (2200m) at Hansin in Japan on June 28.
Winning jockey Yuichi Kitamura settled Chrono Genesis midfield before making a forward move from the 800m and the four year old mare made a long sweeping run before racing away in the straight unchallenged and the $4.10 second favourite went on to record a six lengths win over the $14.20 chance Kiseki with third placegetter Mozu Bello a further five lengths away in third place.
“The filly broke smoothly and we were able to travel in good rhythm in good striking position. I didn’t really have to urge her to go but she just went spontaneously. She was responding really well so I knew that she will stretch well in the lane. She has become a powerful filly and was in very good condition. She was really strong,” jockey Yuichi Kitamura told the Horse Racing In Japan News Desk.
Last year’s Cox Plate winner Lys Gracieux was also the winner of The Takarazuka Kinen at her previous start before heading to Australia to claim the weight for age crown at The Valley.
Chrono Genesis’ other Group 1 win was in the JPY ¥195,460,000 The Shuka Sho (2000m) at Kyoto in Japan on October, 2019.
Verry Elleegant streeted her rivals with a four and a quarter lengths win in the Group 1 $1.5m Kia Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Rosehill on March 28 before running a game second to Addeybb in the Group 1 $2m Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Day Two of The Championships on April 11.
Master Of Wine finished a gallant fourth in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes while Russian Camelot looked very impressive in winning the Group 1 $400,000 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville on May 9.
Early betting for the 2020 Cox Plate at Ladbrokes.com.au: $11 Chrono Genesis, $12 Master Of Wine, Russian Camelot, Verry Elegant, $17 Loves Only You, Melody Belle, Regal Power, $19 Alligator Blood, Funstar, $21 Arcadia Queen, Barney Roy, $26 Buckhurst, Catalyst, Il Paradiso, Magic Wand, Mystic Journey, Superstorm, $31 Fierce Impact, Mr Quickie, $34 Colette, Dalasan, Kinane, Surprise Baby, $51 or better the rest.
