Caulfield Stakes favourite Ocean Park is set to cement his place amongst the top fancies in the Cox Plate with a dominate performance at Caulfield tomorrow.
Ocean Park is set to dominate the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
In form jockey Glen Boss is poised to deliver a first class ride on Ocean Park to add the Group 1 $400,000 Cathay Pacific Caulfield Stakes (2000m) to their Spring successes and secure the four old year’s place in the Cox Plate.
Ocean Park is currently second favourite at $6.50 in the Group 1 $3m Sportingbet Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 27 behind Pierro ($2.10) who will cement his spot at the top of the market with another win in the Group 1 $1m BECK Caulfield Guineas (1600m) tomorrow.
Boss’ job was made slightly easier tomorrow with the news that the Peter Moody trained weight for age star Manighar was out of the Caulfield Stakes and the rest of the Spring with a knee injury.
“Nothing really changes as far as my thought processes go,” Boss said.
“I’ve still got to go out there and give him a good ride and get the job done.”
“I probably thought I had them covered anyway.”
As well as Cox Plate favourite Pierro going around tomorrow, stablemate and Cox Plate third favourite More Joyous is the top pick in the Group 1 $400,000 David Jones Toorak Handicap (1600m).
“On Saturday there is More Joyous going around, Pierro and him,” Boss said.
“They are the three favourites going to the Cox Plate and they are all running on the same day. I’d really like to see all three horses stand up and stamp themselves on Saturday. I’m sure my horse will hold up his end of the bargain.”
Ocean Park lowered the colours of many high profile Spring contenders in the Group 1 $400,000 Hyland Race Colours Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on September 22 including last year’s Caulfield Cup winner Southern Speed, Manighar, top Sydney five year old Sincero and Doomben Cup winner Mawingo.
Boss was aboard Ocean Park when the pair went down narrowly to Laser Hawk in the Group 1 $500,000 Flinders Lane Rosehill Guineas (2000m) at Rosehill in the Autumn and took over the reins this preparation from Lisa Allpress who steered the stallion to a first up Group 1 victory in the NZ$200,000 Makfi Challenge Stakes (1400m) at Hawke’s Bay, Hastings on September 1.
Boss was ecstatic with Ocean Park’s Underwood win and has confirmed that the Thorn Park entire has progressed nicely since the run.
“I’ve ridden him in work since his last start win and he feels great,” Boss said.
“You could see what he did the other day, that was no fluke.”
“He’s always been a nice horse and he’s developed into a nice horse. I think he should be in for a very good preparation.”
Ocean Park will start an odds on favourite in the weight for age Caulfield Stakes and is currently $1.60 with Sydneysider Sincero the only other runner under double figures at $4.60.
