I too was surprised by Bel Esprit's 1600m ability but anyone wants to back him in the Cox Plate on the strength of that run should look at the tired 3YO's he ran past. Before anyone says "what about his sectional" well I say "why wouldn't the horse run a fast sectional?" - it bludged at the back of the field for 2/3rds of the race.
Tomorrow the pressure will be 100% from the 800 and he will be 6-12 lengths behind Sunline, Northerly, Lonhro, Defier etc at that time after already going 1200.
He's gotta get a stitch in my book.
3YO Cox Plate winners over the past 30 years have been Surround (triple Oaks winner), Red Anchor (Derby winner) and Octagonal (Derby winner).
Do you think BE is a Derby horse?
20/1 available here for the Cox Plate whilst stocks last.