A win at Rosehill today by Press Statement in the Group 2 $200,000 Dyldam Stan Fox Stakes (1500m) will give trainer Chris Waller plenty of reasons to aim the three year old towards the Cox Plate.
Press Statement could earn himself a start in the Cox Plate if he wins the Stan Fox Stakes at Rosehill. Photo by Daniel Costello.
Press Statement is one of twelve horses Waller still has left in the Group 1 $3m William Hill Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 24 and an in-form three year old wouldn’t be out of place in the weight for age championship.
Waller was keen to reflect on the deeds of international multiple Group 1 winner So You Think who won the Group 3 $200,000 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) on the same program as today’s Stan Fox Stakes and went on to win the 2009 Cox Plate as a three year old.
“So You Think won the Gloaming and went down and won and these days you don’t know what’s getting off the plane from Germany, Japan or Ireland,” Waller told AAP.
“It’s a great time of the year in that respect.”
“You just don’t know where the next Cox Plate winner is coming from.”
Press Statement is a dominant $1.40 favourite at Ladbrokes.com.au for the Stan Fox Stakes and a win today will see the Hinchinbrook colt progress to the Group 1 $1m BECK Caulfield Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 11 before a possible start in the Cox Plate.
“I think most horses of his ability would be left in the Cox Plate,” Waller said.
“In recent years it’s been a natural progression if you are going well after the Caulfield Guineas.”
“He’d be in the paddock if he didn’t win the Guineas.”
“In fact he’d be in the paddock if he didn’t run well on Saturday.”
The Stan Fox Stakes will be Press Statement’s third run back from a spell and the step up to 1500m is what he is looking for following his unlucky fifth to Exosphere in the Group 1 $1m De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill two weeks ago when ridden by Tye Angland.
Angland was also on top for Press Statement’s win in the Group 1 $600,000 BMW Australia J.J. Atkins (1600m) at Doomben during the Brisbane Winter Carnival and again when the colt kicked off his Spring Carnival campaign with a first up second to Exosphere in the Group 2 $175,000 MTA NSW The Run To The Rose (1200m) at Rosehill on August 29.
Hugh Bowman takes the ride today and Waller is looking for a change of luck after Press Statement ran into a traffic jam at the 300m with Angland in the Golden Rose Stakes.
Waller already has a strong hand in the Cox Plate with last week’s George Main Stakes winner Kermadec currently at the top of the market order at $7 and also has his smart mare Winx among the top in contenders at $13.
Stan Fox market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $1.40 Press Statement, $6 Rageese, $8 Shards, $19 Man Of His Word, $21 Fireworks, $51 Winning Accord.
