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Friday, October 24, 2008

Filly Friday Down Under Too

While Friday in the U.S. is all about the beginning of Breeders’ Cup festivities, keep an eye Down Under as the likely favorites in the G1 $3 million Cox Plate are 5-year-old mare Princess Coup and 3-year-old filly Samantha Miss.

The tough and accomplished Princess Coup comes in off two G1 wins in New Zealand, both over last week’s G1 Caulfield Cup runner-up Nom du Jeu, so her form is certainly valid.

Samantha Miss, who upset 2-year-old champion colt Sebring in the G1 Champagne Stakes last campaign, will attempt to become the first 3-year-old filly since Surround in 1976 to win Australia’s premier weight-for-age race. She will carry virtually no weight here, as Jockey Glen Boss makes the 47.5 kg (105 pounds), but it will be her first attempt at the distance (10 furlongs) and first race against older horses.

Don’t be surprised if one of these girls—apropos as a contrast to the regressive American tendency to separate the sexes in horse racing (or at least make their championship races on a weekday)—defeats their male counterparts. It's not like it hasn't happened before. In just the past decade, the great New Zealand-mare Sunline won the 1999 Cox Plate, and then followed up that achievement with a repeat victory in 2000. And, of course, the phenomenal Aussie mare Makybe Diva won in 2005 (with Glen Boss up), on route to her third consecutive G1 Melbourne Cup victory.

4 comments:

Anne S said...

Hi Valerie, I only just stumbled across your blog.

Wow! Another female race enthusiast who writes intelligently about the sport.

I am a dedicated follower of Australian horse Racing and have discovered that I love blogging about it as well.

My post on the Cox Plate is on my blog, and would you believe I have come to the same conclusions as you regarding the outcome for the girls in the race.

Valerie Grash said...

Hi Anne!

I'm so glad to find out there is another female blogger who loves Australian racing!! I'll definitely check out your blog, and hopefully we can exchange comments and info. I'm so surprised there aren't more Aussie horse racing bloggers, since the quality of racing is FABULOUS!

Just getting ready to watch the Cox Plate now, so talk to you later!

STEVE BREM said...

Literacy might be a problem.

Anonymous said...

Hi Valerie
I too have just stumbled upon your blog and it is refreshing to see an interest in Aussie racing from the States. I have bookmarked your blog and will be following it. I have a site that reviews betting products and will upload reference to your excellent articles. Hope to correspond with you in the future.
All the best.