Crash said earlier that Surround had proved herself in open company prior to her Cox Plate win.

Wrong.

9 starts as a 2YO for 5 wins
4 starts as a 3YO prior to the CP for 4 wins in a Fillies Hcp, Ascot Vale Stks, Moonee Valley Stks and Caulfield Guineas - all 3YO events.

After her win in the Cox Plate, Surround raced 8 times in open company for 2 wins. In the Cox Plate she beat Unaware and Better Draw - not exactly hall of famers.

I think the Surround euphoria is a little unwarranted and the post Cox Plate form outlined above gives some weight to this.

Not many 3YO fillies try for this race so the once in 80 years although true is a tad misleading.

Lisa Cropp slaughtered Miss Finland two years ago. Slight Chance ran third after protest in one of the hottest fields to face the starter in any race over the past twenty years.

This is the weakest Cox Plate since Rising Prince won in 1985 ( Drawn was favourite ). I think only Sirmione and Maldivian have won at Group One WFA in Australia and they are out of form.

I agree that Samantha Miss may be a little over rated but to be favourite for this race doesn't bestow any form of greatness on her. I'd say Sunline would be 4/9 if she was in this race at her peak, Northerly about the same. Might And Power about 1/3, Kingston Town - quinella betting only.

Ian McEwen's fear that ordinary horse may one day win this race could come true. Hard to believe that as little as 20 years ago a Caulfield Cup winner ( Cole Diesel ) couldn't get a guernsey and now it seems anything with a sprinkling of WFA form gets the green light.