There has been plenty of movement in 2015 Cox Plate betting markets, but the Chris Waller-trained duo of Kermadec and Preferment have both remained rock solid at their opening quotes.
Kermadec is one of three Chris Waller-trained horses in the 2015 Cox Plate field. Photo by: Steve Hart
Kermadec went to the top of Cox Plate betting markets when he recorded an impressive win in the Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on September 19, but he drifted out to $8 when he finished fourth behind Criterion in the Group 1 Ladbrokes Caulfield Stakes (2000m) on October 10 and he has remained at that quote ever since.
Waller believes that Kermadec had genuine excuses for his fourth place finish in the Caulfield Stakes and he remains confident that the Teofilo entire can finish over the top of his rivals and take out the 2015 Cox Plate.
“He is well,” Waller told Racing Ahead.
“He struggled a little around Caulfield last start and he just gave some good horses too big a start.
“It has been two weeks between runs and he has adapted well to the Valley in his two gallops there.
“I have done all I can and it is up to him now.
“Hopefully he can rise to the level required.
“There will be enough speed initially and in the middle stages they will probably back-off a bit, so it is just a matter of getting in a position where you are comfortable and you can win from.
“It does limit you a little bit when you have barrier ten.
Preferment has flown under the radar ahead of the Cox Plate as the majority of the attention has surrounded his stablemates Kermadec and Winx, but the Victoria Derby winner is set to take outstanding form into the Group 1 event.
The Zabeel entire started his 2015 Spring Racing Carnival campaign with a flat performance in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on September 5, but he went to another level to take out both the Group 2 Hill Stakes (2000m) at the same venue on September 19 and the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 4 and Waller said there is no reason that he can’t improve again in the 2015 Cox Plate.
“He is not as a good a worker as the other two because he is more of a stayer, but he does good staying work and that is what you are going to require tomorrow,” Waller said.
“From that aspect he is working as well as he ever has.
“He is just going to a new level this preparation and that is what you would expect a four-year-old by Zabeel to do.”
Preferment has remained at 2015 Cox Plate odds of $13 throughout the week with Ladbrokes, while Highland Reel ($5.50) remains a narrow favourite from Criterion ($6.50).
You can score the best Cox Plate odds with leading online bookmaker Ladbrokes, who are offering Best Tote or Starting Price +20% on every single race at Moonee Valley tomorrow.
