Emancipation in favour for W.S. Cox Plate

Press, 21 October 1983, Page 14

Emancipation in favour for W.S. Cox Plate

NZPA Melbourne An ideal barrier draw and the prospect of continuing fain have assured Sydney mare, Emancipation, favouritism for tomorrow’s $275,000 W. S. Cox Plate (2050 m at Moonee Valley. Emancipation drew barrier No. 1 and although her trainer, Neville Begg, was unconcerned before the draw he was a lot happier after the ballot.

Emancipation’s main rival, Mr McGinty, also fared well at the barrier draw but the chances of his starting in the race are becoming remote as rain continues to fall in Melbourne.

Only 13 runners, one less than a capacity field, accepted for Australia’s richest weight-for-age race and the scratching of Mr McGinty would make this

year’s event one of the weakest in many years. Mr McGinty drew barrier No. 8 and jockey Bob Vance said he would be well suited by that if he ran. Perfect Bliss, which drew No. 13, looks the logical leader and with the front running Deb’s Mate to start from barrier No. 2 a battle for the lead seems likely. Sydney’s second representative, Sir Dapper, drew barrier No. 6 with Strawberry Road next on his outside.

Moonee Valley’s chief executive, Mr lan McEwen, said yesterday that he expected the track conditions to improve dramatically with no rain today.

McEwen said with fine weather the track could improve enough to be officially rated as “good” by tomorrow, but the forecast is for continuing showers.

Jbt: 11 Tab: CC Race 1 5.05 T.A.B. QUINELLA W. S. COX PLATE $275,000, 2050 m. 1 0144 Trissaro 9 59.0 2 5021 Deb’s Mate 4 59.0 3 7792 Allez Bijou 2 59.0 4 1215 Kiwi Slave 10 59.0 5 1821 Mr McGinty 8 57.0 6 2146 Strawberry Road 7 57.0 7 1232 Come To London 11 57.0 8 1114 Emancipation 1 54.5 9 1112 Sir Dapper 6 48.5 10 9418 Albany Bay 5 48.5 11 8153 Handsome Seattle 12 48.5 12 2124 Fine Offer 3 48.5 13 3121 Perfect Bliss 13 46.0