Former Japanese raider stakes Cox Plate claim as field takes shape

Sydney trainer Matthew Smith says if The Valley’s Cox Plate committee is searching for a group 1 winner from Japan, then he has just the horse in Keiai Nautique.

The brother of multiple group 1 winner Fierce Impact has been competing against the best in his first Australian preparation, and Smith says he’ll be accepting for the Cox Plate on Tuesday morning before the committee selects the final field.

Sydney trainer Matthew Smith.Credit:Bradleyphotos.com.au

Keiai Nautique was an eye-catcher first-up in the Winx Stakes behind Mo’unga and Verry Elleegant – both of whom will start in the Cox Plate – and then was four lengths off Incentivise in the Turnbull Stakes.

Last start, the seven-year-old was beaten two lengths by Think It Over in the Hill Stakes, in a race run at an unsuitable tempo.

Smith said he scratched the seven-year-old from Saturday’s Craven Plate – where Think It Over again franked the form – to keep him fresh for the weight-for-age championship at The Valley.

“Obviously he’s a group 1 winner and Japanese horses have a good record in the race,” Smith said.

“He’s having his first Australian prep and we probably haven’t seen the best of him yet. He’s getting better and better with every run.

“We’re really happy with him, his sectionals have been great, and we’ve got him spot on. We’ve just got to get into the race.”

At least 10 horses are certain of lining up in the Cox Plate.

Imports State Of Rest and Gold Trip are guaranteed starts, as are Zaaki, Verry Elleegant, Mo’unga, Anamoe, and Probabeel.

Epsom placegetter Dalasan, Caulfield Guineas runner-up Captivant, and New Zealand star Callsign Mav are also likely to get the tick of approval, leaving four more spots up for grabs if the race committee wants a full field of 14.

Sydney jockey James McDonald is on his way to Melbourne to ride the $3.20 favourite Zaaki in Saturday’s $5 million major, with Craig Williams on $4 second favourite Anamoe.

Superstorm, who won the exempt Feehan Stakes, is likely to bypass the Cox Plate for the Cantala Handicap on Derby day, while Colette and Forgot You will also be considerations.

Colette won Saturday’s Tristarc Stakes over 1400 metres and if Godolphin elects to race her, she’ll definitely get the tick of approval, while Forgot You won the 1600-metre Stutt Stakes. The New Zealand-trained Elephant is also still in the Cox Plate entries.

Incentivise, winner of Saturday’s Caulfield Cup, has all but been ruled out of a Cox Plate berth. Hungry Heart also won’t run; she’s more likely to contend the Empire Rose or the Golden Eagle.

Craig Newitt has been booked to ride Keiai Nautique in the Cox Plate. The Japanese import finished fifth in last year’s group 1 Yasuda Kinen, won by Gran Alegria, finishing two lengths off runner-up Almond Eye.

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