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44.
History
against Northerly and Bel Esprit
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22/10/2002 |
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History isn't on the
side of Northerly as he approaches the running of the Group One Cox Plate.
In the last 10 years, no horse that has won the Caulfield Cup has gone on to win
the Cox Plate in the same year. A few have gone close. Diatribe ran second in
2000; Sky Heights ran third in 1999; and Mannerism ran seventh in 1992, but a
double? No.
The last horse to win both was Rising Prince 17 years ago in 1985.
Three year-olds don't have the best of records either so BEL ESPRIT has history
to beat as well as the other eight runners.
The last three year-old to win was the champion Octagonal in 1995 and only two
others in that time have ran a place; 2001 VISCOUNT ran third and in 1992 SLIGHT
CHANCE also ran third.
History is not unbeatable though and woe betide anyone who dismisses the
Caulfield Cup champ and the youngster breathing down his neck.
Those who have managed to win doubles during the spring carnival include:
CAULFIELD CUP-COX PLATE :
(3) Tobin Bronze (1967) Rising Fast (1954) Tranquil Star (1942)
COX PLATE-MELBOURNE CUP :
(4) Saintly (1996) Rising Fast (1954) Phar Lap (1930) Nightmarch (1929)
CAULFIELD CUP-COX PLATE-MELBOURNE CUP :
(1) Rising Fast (1954)
COX PLATE-VICTORIA DERBY :
(6) Red Anchor (1984) Taj Rossi (1973) Daryl’s Joy (1969) Alister (1950) Delta
(1949) Manfred (1925)
YALUMBA STKS-COX PLATE :
(13) includes Northerly, Might and Power, Almaarad, Bonecrusher, Kingston Town,
Gunsynd, Rising Fast, Ajax
CAULFIELD GUINEAS-COX PLATE :
(4) Red Anchor, Surround, Rajah Sahib, Star Affair
EPSOM HCP-COX PLATE :
(3) Noholme (1959) Chatham (1932) Nightmarch (1929)
Record of three year olds:
Colts/Geldings: 17 wins Fillies: 1 win (Surround -1976)
Record of Mares: 7 wins
LEADING TRAINER : Tommy SMITH (7)
LEADING JOCKEY : Darby MUNRO (5)
By: Jo Adams
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