The Cox Plate odds of the lightly raced three year old Sweynesse continue to tumble in the final twenty-four hour countdown to the weight for age championship at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
Chad Schofield, green cap, gets a feel of the well supported Sweynesse as he gallops with stablemate Gouldian in preparation for the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley. Photo by
When the final field for the Group 1 $3m Sportingbet Cox Plate (2040m) was decided on Tuesday, the Godolphin owned Sweynesse was posted as a $34 chance with Ladbrokes.com.au but his latest odds have seen him more than halve that quote and is now listed as a $16 chance.
While there has been a consistent stream of money for the Lonhro colt, the favourite Fawkner has eased slightly from $4.50 to $4.60 while the David Payne trained Criterion also has attracted plenty of support and has joined Irish galloper Adelaide at $7.
Number one saddle cloth holder Sacred Falls has remained steady at $7.50 as has his stablemate Royal Descent who remains at $11.
The John O’Shea trained Sweynesse has drawn out wide at barrier twelve in the fourteen horse field but jockey Chad Schofield said that won’t affect his racing pattern.
“He likes to jump and travel on the bridle at the rear of the field, all of his wins have been that way,” Schofield told RSN Racing and Sports.
“So I will just leave him alone early and let him travel and be comfortable and make sure he is balanced on the correct leg.”
“Hopefully down the back by the school I can hop onto the right horses back who can pull me up into the race and hopefully he can show that good turn of foot that he has got.”
Schofield, who is chasing back to back Cox Plate victories after winning last year on another three year old Shamus Award, has no problem with Sweynesse handling the 2040m of the Cox Place if he can conserve energy in the early and middle stages.
“Regarded he is ridden accordingly. It has been well documented last time he was taken out of his comfort zone early and he was forced to make a long sustained run which found him wanting late,” Schofield said.
“But I am confident, so is the stable, that if he is ridden accordingly he can run out a strong 2040m.”
“I’m confident my horse has the ability, he has the right attitude to take the step to weight for age racing. I don’t think the big crowd will upset him, he has the right credentials, he’s got the weight relief. As long as we get the luck in running I’m sure he will be in the finish.”
Schofield had his first feel of Sweynesse in a gallop on Tuesday morning at ‘Breakfast With The Best’ at Moonee Valley and was impressed with the way the three year old felt underneath him.
“He gave me a very nice feel, he worked with a stablemate, although they didn’t go out to break the clock, he gave me a terrific feel, I am very happy heading into the race,” Schofield said.
Sweynesse has won four of his five race starts with his only defeat being his last start third behind Hampton Court and First Seal in the Group 1 $400,000 Moet & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on October 11.
At his two previous starts Sweynesse won the Group 3 $125,000 Coca-Cola Spring Stakes (1600m) at Newcastle on September 17 and the Group 3 $200,000 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) at Rosehill on September 27.
