Bordi today was at Flemington not Moonee Valley there is an enormous difference between the 2 tracks but it doesn't take a genius to work that out. I have never once said that Makybe Diva isn't a good horse in fact she might be the best I have seen I am simply saying she is trying to win a race that doesn't suit her racing style she cannot stand the leader up 20 lengths or anything close to that in a Cox Plate and win it it is to tight a track up against the best of company. If you think I am trying to have a go at you take a horse like Lonhro a horse who in his own right a champion (I would never use that word to describe him but plenty have) he was beating Defier in every race they went against eachother there 2 years ago and beating him pointlessly then come Cox Plate day not only couldn't he get past Defier he couldn't get past Fields of Omaugh either.


Like I said it isn't always the best horse that wins this race it is usually the horse that gets the best run that wins it have a look at the last few winners Savabeel was in the 1st 3, Fields of Omaugh was in the 1st 3, Northerly was in the 1st 3 from memory as was Sunline that takes up a few years there my memory isn't the greatest so I can't really go any further back then that but all I am trying to say is she could be set mission impossible to win the race and I feel that given his racing style Lad of the Manor has me brimming with confidence right now.

If Makybe finishes in the placings in the Cox Plate I still think she might be the best horse I have seen if she wins it doing what she normally does she definitely is it would be no mean feat to win a race like this concedeing alot of ground to some very good horses around the tightest major race track in Australia at WFA conditions.

Will you eat your hat if she places Raw?

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I like Bing Lee.

I like the way Raw thinks and will be backing Lad of the Manor for Cox Plate at handy $11 fixed odds return.

Then Lad of the Manor with about 5 other horses for the Cox-Cup double. Makybe Diva, PLastered, Vouvrey, Xcellent, Dizzle

And will probably do the same with Plastered to win the Caufield for a Caufield-Melb Cup double with the above and more horses.

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GO VOUVRAY

Mad it wouldn't surprise me to see her place but she is going to have to be every single bit as good as everyone thinks she is and a hell of alot more to win this race I just think these other horses are a hell of alot better than anyone has given them credit for. I won't say that I will be happy to be wrong because I won't but if I am and she wins atleast I was beaten by a horses that few of us have seen a better one.

I'm only stirrin' ya Raw.

I actually liked your assessment and think it has merit. The only concern i would have is if she has been set for this race then perhaps the connections will have thought of this already. As a result they might ride her a little closer to the pace than usual, say midfield, three wide if needs be and use her blistering finish to come over the top. Otherwise, i agree with your previous assessment, it will be very difficult to win on such a tight track from so far back. However if ever there was a horse to do it, i'd back her.

As you can see i am a big Diva fan, go the Diva!

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I like Bing Lee.

Raw your points are sound but forgetting one important point: Cox plate field will probably only have 9 horses in it. Even if she's last, she'll only give him 6 lengths max in the run, unless they go real quick in front (and if they do that, she bolts in). What is likely anyway is that they will try to settle her about 5th-6th in the run. They're not idiots, they're not going to conceded 20 lengths to lad of the manor and try to run him down, not to mention Fields of Omagh (who I think is as good a Cox plate chance as the Lad). What's likely is Lotteria will lead if in the field, Fields and Lad sit about 2nd and 3rd each, about 1 length off speed, she sits 6th-7th at worst, 5 off speed. Down the side, they coax her forward so she's within 1-2 lens off them on the bend. That's how they'll ride her. Reason: they're setting her for this race. They weren't setting her for the Feehan, that's why they put her to the tail. Even in her Melbourne Cup runs, she settles midfield.

Then, in the straight, with the weight pull on the top two and more ability, the result will be a foregone conclusion.

HOWEVER!!!!!!!!!

(and this is a big however)

There are two horses who can beat her, even if that all happens as listed above. Super Kid and Greys Inn are both extremely good horses, both of them better than Lad and Fields of Omagh. That is unquestionable. They are both better horses than Fields and Lad. They could quinella it.

I will say that I feel it will most likely be an 11 horse field something along the lines of.

1. Super Kid
2. Fields of Omagh
3. Lad of the Manor
4. Greys Inn
5. Xcellent
6. Mummify
7. Perlin
8. Confectioner ????
9. Makybe Diva
10. Lotteria ?
11. Hotel Grand

that is a rough layout of what could be the field I amnot sure if Confectioner is going that way or to the Caulfield Cup I also have doubts that they will take Lotteria to the Cox aswell but it is hard to tell really. Desert War could go this way and I amnot sure if Activation would make the field but it is another chance Binding was another who had a chance but I doubt he would get into the field on recent efforts

Possibly God's Own as well.

I expect him to go well in the Guineas next week (in fact I expect him to win it now that I chose Dream Ballad for my stable instead of him ) and he could then be a starter at the Valley and a good chance.

I'm more than happy where Wild Iris is at present

I might be wrong but I thought I heard that Hotel Grand was heading to the Cox Plate after it's win on the weekend.