A representative for Godolphinâs Northern Hemisphere operation has confirmed plans to head down under this Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival targeting the Cox Plate 2016 with the Charlie Appleby-trained British galloper Tryster.
UK hoop William Buick (pictured aboard Tarquin at Rosehill) is the regular rider of 2016 Cox Plate hope Tryster. Photo: Steve Hart.
The Irish-bred Shamardal gelding is still lightly-raced for a European six-year-old and is one of two Appleby-trained nominees for the $3 million Group 1 W.S. Cox Plate (2040m) that runs at Moonee Valley Racecourse on October 22.
Applebyâs other hopeful is Scottish, a $51 chance in futures Cox Plate odds at Ladbrokes.com.au.
A consistent Teofilo gelding, Scottish was last seen running second to Royal Artillery in the Group 3 Rose Of Lancaster Stakes (2011m) as the beaten favourite at Haydock Park on August 6.
Stablemate Tryster meanwhile raced at Arlington in the USA on August 13 but could only manage to finish eighth behind Mondialiste in the Grade 1 Arlington Million Stakes (2011m).
That was his third loss on the trot, his last win being in the Group 1 Jebel Hatta (1800m) in Dubai back in early March, with jockey William Buick getting caught wide without cover leading up to the three and a half-length loss.
After that elite level success Tryster finished third in the prestigious Group 1 Dubai Turf (1800m) a fortnight later behind Real Steel, the firmer tracks at Meydan a better suit than the soft Ascot course on June 15 when Tryster finished fifth to My Dream Boat in the Group 1 Prince Of Walesâs Stakes (2012m).
He is paying $41 in all-in Cox Plate betting and this week Godolphinâs chief executive John Ferguson confirmed the team were eyeing a run in Australasiaâs weight-for-age championship over the horseâs pet distance where he can come from behind and storm home late.
âLast Saturday was unfortunate as he couldnât get any cover and get dropped in from his draw but he still ran a decent race,â Ferguson told Racing Victoria.
âWe know he loves travelling and you only need to look at his form to see that.
âHe had a wonderful winter in the UK on the all-weather tracks in 2015 but he is equally effective on turf, and it was just a shame for him that the ground went against him at Royal Ascot.
âHe is a real Meydan specialist and he does like it there.
âHe will probably be back there next [Dubai World Cup] Carnival, but the Cox Plate is a race which should suit him and that is where we are looking now.
âWe will see how he is once he settles in back with Charlie but the Cox Plate looks likely to be his next main target.â
Cox Plate favourite is last yearâs winning mare Winx ($2.70) who makes her new-season debut at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney on Saturday.
Chris Wallerâs champion daughter of Street Cry is odds-on to win first-up in the Group 2 Warwick Stakes (1400m) and was on Thursday night crowned the NSW Horse of the Year.
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