Four-time Cox Plate champion Glen Boss says ‘FEARLESS’ Nash Rawiller can upset favourite Anamoe

It is a brave new world at Moonee Valley Racing Club with a fresh field vying to win the Cox Plate dominated by superstar mare Winx for the last four years.

According to Tabcorp, that means trying to find a tip for this years Cox Plate will be much more difficult given the absence of Winx from this years event.

‘From a wagering standpoint, this years 2022 Cox Plate stands be the most interesting in recent times, as there is a fantastic crop of Australian middle distance running waiting to stake their claim and step out from behind Winx’s massive shadow,’ Tabcorp stated in their official preview of the Cox Plate. 

Jockey Hugh Bowman riding Winx wins the Cox Plate in 2018 at Moonee Valley Racecourse

‘Superstar mare Winx cemented her place in Australian racing folklore last year, winning the Cox Plate for an unprecedented fourth consecutive time, a feat which is unlikely to ever be replicated.’ 

However four-time Cox Plate champion Glen Boss believes ‘fearless’ Nash Rawiller is an understated dark horse to take out the $5million Group 1 race – saying he has the tactics to pip favourite Anamoe and his jockey James McDonald past the post.

With big guns Zaaki and Alligator Blood drawn in barrier one and twelve respectively, the race nine feature event will be off with a cracking tempo. 

Tabcorp’s Rohan Welsh says punters have stuck beside the favourite, but can find plenty of value elsewhere.

‘Anamoe is still heavily supported with TAB and holds 40% of the Cox Plate investments with multiple bets of note including one of 10K at $2.40,’ he said.

‘El Bodegan has been the big mover into second favourite at $5.50 with around 15% of the money ahead of an easing Zaaki at 10% and $6.50.’

James McDonald points to trainer James Cummings after defeating I’m Thunderstruck and Zaaki in race 7, during the cracking feature Neds Might and Power at Caulfield, October 8

Retired champion Boss, says five-year-old Bay Mo’unga will thrive under a fierce ride from Rawiller. 

‘Nash is going to be positive on him, he won’t be flopping out the back,’ the 96-time group one winner said.

‘You got Zaaki going forward, kicking up hard because he has to … you got Alligator ripping across and you got Mo’unga, who’s not going to come out wondering. 

Glen Bos wins his fourth Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on October 23, 2020 – aboard Sir Dragonet

Nash is probably the most intelligent rider out there, he does exactly what he wants to do, fearless, and he doesn’t care what people think.

He does things others wouldn’t think about because they’re too scared to be judged if they got it wrong, if he gets it wrong he says at least I did something.’

The 47-year-old Victorian was praised by punters this year in his cracking ride of Think It Over during the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at the 2000m. 

Nash Rawiller gets to work on Think It Over – it won the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, as the jockey left the field and rails, taking the horse to the far left of the straight for a drier track

Rawiller infamously steered the seven-year-old onto the far left of a heavy Randwick track, leaving the rest of the field on the rails. 

The over 5500-start jockey beat home race favourite’s Verry Elleegant and Zaaki, clocking a massive price of $41 in the $4million race.

Yet his gutsy ride came at a cost, with NSW racing stewards fining Rawiller $40,000 for excessive whip use, while suspending him for two weeks. 

Boss, who won the 2005, 2009, 2012 and 2020 Cox Plate says McDonald won’t get the race handed to him, even from the perfect draw.

Boss smiles on Makybe Diva as he wins his first Cox Plate during its 2005 running at Moonee Valley

While McDonald is currently Cox Plateless in his 71-group one triumphs, the 53-year-old retired legend says the Kiwi has the race ‘weapon’. 

McDonald looked down and out at the 300-metre mark on Anamoe during the Might and Power Stakes on October 8, but showed a stunning turn of foot to beat home backmarker I’m Thunderstruck and pace runner Zaaki. 

The Godolphin bred and James Cummings trained four-year-old sits as the $2.30 favourite for the Cox Plate, having won 10 of his 19 races, and missing a placing on just two occasions. 

Anamoe jumps from barrier four and is likely to sit on the pace, behind the Jamie Kah ridden Zaaki. 

James McDonald (c) poses with trainer James Cummings (L) and Vin Cox (R), after winning the race 7, Neds Might and Power

Last year, Irish horse State of Rest won by half a head to favourite Anamoe, while 2021 Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant rounded out the placings. 

2022 Cox Plate field and odds:

1. Zaaki ($6/$2.05), 2. I’m Thunderstruck ($11/$2.90), 3. Alligator Blood ($21/$4.60), 4. Mr Brightside ($14/$3.40), 5. Mo’unga ($26/$5.50), 6. Gold Trip ($12/$3.10), 7. Law of Indices ($35/$6.50), 8. Young Werther ($41/$7), 9. Maximal ($61/$9.50), 10. Anamoe ($2.35/$1.30), 11. Profondo ($67/$12), 12. El Bodegon ($5.50/$1.95)