Class horses in the Cox Plate are:
Makybe Diva....champion mare
Lad Of the Manor....impeccable record at the Valley
Xcellent...potential superstar...BUT...as I continue my form analysis, I am having misgivings about his ability to handle the MV circuit, particularly from his barrier. His wins in NZ appeared to be on wider tracks, not particularly similar to M Valley or Randwick and Flemington but I am just taking a cautious look at his prospects on this "specialists" track.
I will be immersed in more form study in an effort to work through these puzzles before I make my final judgments.
In the end "class" will differentiate the true chances from the pretenders.
Cheers.