Cox Plate favourite gets first glimpse of Moonee Valley
James McDonald is satisfied with the progress Romantic Warrior has made towards the Cox Plate since the Hong Kong star's last start defeat in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington.
Fresh from notching his 81st victory at Group One level at Randwick on Saturday, James McDonald took an evening flight to Melbourne to partner the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) favourite in a track gallop at Moonee Valley on Sunday morning over 1400-metres.
It was the first time the five-year-old had been around the tighter Valley circuit for which McDonald said should suit the horse better than Flemington.
"He was a bit more relaxed and got into a beautiful rhythm," McDonald said.
"Most importantly, he took to The Valley like a duck to water.
"He was fantastic when he cornered well, accelerated around the bend and zipped home really well.
"He's come on and we saw glimpses of that this morning."
The boom didn't quite bust on the three-time winner at the highest level at home when Romantic Warrior was beaten as an odds-on favourite in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) by Gold Trip on October 6.
Post-race, McDonald noted that Romantic Warrior felt like he had needed that run. Now, that progress has come along.
"What I'm glad about is that it is three weeks between the Turnbull and the Cox Plate," he added.
"If it was two weeks we probably would have been chasing our tail just a tad but in saying that he has come on immensely.
"He just needed that run so badly as he was very fresh and it was evident in the way he loomed and compounded."
How impressive Gold Trip was in winning the Turnbull Stakes, and with the performances since of other Cox Plate rivals, McDonald isn't letting those efforts dent his confidence in Romantic Warrior.
Also on Saturday, Alligator Blood won the Group 1 Might And Power Stakes (2000m) impressively while Mr Brightside finished second behind McDonald's mount, Fangirl, in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes over 1600-metres.
"We're not too concerned about the opposition," McDonald said.
"It is more if he gets there in 100 per-cent order then he will look after most of them.
"I know Mr Brightside got defeated but he still ran terrifically well, and Alligator Blood was great.
"He's got lengths to make up on Gold Trip but it is doable.
"The picture is changing and it is wide open (but) as long as we can get this horse there in peak form, it will take one hell of a horse to beat him."
Online bookies currently have Romantic Warrior as the $4 favourite for the Cox Plate on October 28 with Alligator Blood and Gold Trip sharing the second line of betting at $7.
More Racing News
Lockwood's filly Extreme Taste faces draw challenge
Trainer Barry Lockwood initially commented that there wasn't much to say about his filly Extreme Taste "because she hasn't won yet," but upon further discussion, he is considerably more positive about her chances of success at Ipswich on Wednesday.Extreme Taste, a maiden after three starts, is set to compete in...
Sir Les refining his racecraft under Carmody's guidance
Craig Carmody is diligently working with promising three-year-old Sir Les, aiming to harness the gelding's natural talent, a skill he witnessed with the horse's dam, Everage, who also achieved stakes success.Sir Les, by All Too Hard, displayed impressive form winning his first two outings before a narrow fifth-place finish in...
Tennessee Bound to bypass Caulfield for Sandown assignment
While Tennessee Bound would likely be a leading contender for favouritism in the Caulfield race she is entered for, trainer Ciaron Maher is intent on continuing his measured approach with the undefeated mare.Consequently, the four-year-old is expected to make her next start in Wednesday's 1200-metre Evergreen Turf Handicap at Sandown.The...
Bellatrix Star's comeback looms in the Sir John Monash Stakes
Mark Walker is proceeding with caution regarding the return of the classy mare Bellatrix Star, based on his experiences with her over the past two seasons.This Saturday, the mare is expected to make her reappearance in the $200,000 Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield.The 1100-metre weight-for-age race will...
Hard Kick's preparation for major spring sprint begins
The traditional winter period typically isn't a springboard for success in the Coolmore Stud Stakes, but the Lindsay Park training team is pinning its hopes on Hard Kick.The unexposed gelding is poised to commence a campaign that has its sights set on the lucrative $2 million Group 1 sprint for...
Music Time set for Kosciuszko path in spring
Trainer Gratz Vella has confirmed that Music Time will be pointed towards The Kosciuszko during the Sydney spring carnival, foregoing the Group 1 Golden Rose for three-year-olds.Vella highlighted the irresistible appeal of The Kosciuszko for country trainers and indicated that the Golden Slipper placegetter might be better suited to the...
Tim Clark sees great potential in By Choice's return
Despite Tulloch Lodge's usual high benchmarks, their two-year-old season has been somewhat subdued. Nevertheless, their primary stable jockey, Tim Clark, anticipates that the current crop of youngsters will more than make up for lost ground as they transition to three-year-old racing.Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott have seen 14 juvenile winners...
Sheza Alibi's move back to Pakenham imminent
The serious phase of training is fast approaching for Sheza Alibi.The exciting filly is drawing near the end of her northern sojourn in Queensland and will soon be repatriated to the Pakenham stable operated by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman.The daughter of Saxon Warrior journeyed north following her stunning victory...
Cellarmaster triumphs in a tight finish to claim the Winx Guineas
In a thrilling conclusion, Cellarmaster ($5.50) narrowly pipped Platinum Pantheon ($6.50) at the post, with Rustemo ($8.50) trailing in third, more than a length adrift.Leading bookmakers noted Cellarmaster's winning dividend at $5.50, while the favoured runner Within The Law ($2.60) failed to live up to expectations despite being heavily supported.The...
James Healy celebrates first stakes win with Arabian Rose in Glasshouse Handicap
Sunshine Coast trainer James Healy has secured his maiden stakes victory thanks to the unheralded mare Arabian Rose, who triumphed in the Listed Glasshouse Handicap on her home track at Caloundra.Initially listed as the third emergency when final acceptors were declared, Arabian Rose's place in the field was uncertain, with...