Latrobe taking on Winx in the Cox Plate would be race to savour

Melbourne Cup winning trainer Joseph O’Brien has decided to enter his Irish Derby winner, Latrobe, in this year’s Cox Plate in Melbourne, Australia. O'Brien will be hoping to emulate his father’ Aidan's success in the race four years ago in 2014.

Aidan’s victory, in what is often referred to as “the race where legends are made,” came courtesy of a horse appropriately named Adelaide.

The Cox Plate is Australia’s top weight-for-age horse race and takes place at Moonee Valley racecourse on Saturday the 27th of October the second day of the Cox Plate Carnival. The race is run over 2,040 metres which is just over 1m2f.

If Latrobe is to win the race, the young colt will have to beat the famous Winx, and that could be a very tall order. Winx has won the Cox Plate for an amazing three years in-a-row, beginning in 2015. The now seven-year-old is enjoying a fantastic run of form being unbeaten in her last 25 outings. She has also chalked up 18 group one wins in the 35 races she has participated in.

The preparations for Winx’s attempt at a fourth crown and the A$5-million purse have begun well, and both Trainer, Chris Waller and jockey, High Bowman are very satisfied with her progress.

If she does manage a fourth Cox Plate win in succession, she will break the existing record which was set by another Australian horse named Kingston Town between the years of 1979 and 1981.

It's something that could well be worth betting on. Once-upon-time, horse racing was the number one sport to have a little flutter on. But with the advent of the internet and online gambling, it doesn't figure at all in the top ten worldwide favourites. One of the few countries where it does figure significantly is in Australia where it is the fifth most popular sport for betting. Anyway, back to the subject matter.

Joseph O'Brien
Healy Racing PhotosThere is no doubt about it; if Latrobe is to be in with a chance of running in the Cox Plate let alone beating Winx, the Irish colt has to frank the form of his Irish Derby victory. His next run according to O’Brien may well be an appearance in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York on the 22nd of August.

The O'Brien dynasty has a good record in the Juddmonte. In 2013 Declaration of War trained by Aidan and ridden by son, Joseph, won easily. In 2014 the same combination prevailed when Australia was a ready winner.

At this point in time Latrobe is also entered in the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York, but according to Joseph O'Brien, they might well switch over to the Juddmonte instead.

As to whether or not Latrobe does travel to Australia for the 98th running of the Cox Plate, the final decision will rest with owner Lloyd Williams. One thing is for sure - it would make a fascinating proposition to see if the Irish Derby winner can take on and beat the legendary Winx.