International Horse Profile: Gold Trip
Gold Trip is Cox Plate bound! The top international chance for the 2021 Cox Plate arrives next week in Melbourne and is now a $10 shot or less with most bookies.
Gold Trip ran a very strong 4th in the Arc last year and this year has run 2nd and 3rd in Group 1s over similar distances. The last start 3rd in the Grand Prix De Saint-Cloud was a very valid run from the back.
Best suited to wetter surfaces, this is the horse you want to eye in on if the heavens open on the days leading up to the race. Even on a Good to soft surface, he is respectable as shown by the 2nd behind Mare Australis in the Prix Ganay.
Gold Trip’s racing style is potentially the biggest query for the Moonee Valley track. Ridden mid to back in the field, Gold Trip has little to no tactical speed early so a good barrier draw 3 out to 7 will be vital to the horses chances on the day.
Why exactly does Gold Trip measure up?
On Timeform ratings in the past 4 Group 1 events Gold Trip has competed in, ratings of 122, 120, 122 and 118+ were the results with 3rd/2nd/4th and 3rd the finishing positions for the horse. With less international competition this year and no Winx, Gold Trip becomes a factor at the ratings.
What it takes to win or place in the Cox Plate the past three years?
2020 Cox Plate – (123 Timeform Rating won the race – 122 prior to race for the horse)
1st – Sir Dragonet – Got a genuine tempo and soft track – previous best 122+ timeform on soft. All perfect conditions on day. Ran 123 to win.
2nd – Armory – Ran 122+ Timeform rating in previous G1 run and repeated that figure with 122 for second.
3rd – Russian Camelot – Best in past seen over slightly shorter distances. Ran to 121 Timeform Rating on the day. Had previously ran 124 in the Underwood on a soft track.
2019 Cox Plate – (124 Timeform Rating won the race – 125+ prior to race for the horse)
1st – Lys Gracieux – Won like a good thing going away from them. Tempo was solid. Run prior was 124 Timeform Rating. Ran 125+ on the day. Next start in Japan ran 128! Class horse.
2nd – Castelvecchio – Ran a clear career peak here of 124 Timeform rating. Won a G1 since running 120.
3rd – Te Akau Shark – Disappointed on the day – 2000m too far for horses best. Ran 119 on the day coming off a 126 Timeform rating prior and 126+ next start after that both those over 1600m.
2018 Cox Plate – (129+ Timeform Rating won the race – 134 prior to race for the horse)
1st – Winx – Didn’t need to run up to her best to win but had to improve on last start win. Did so impressively going up to 129+ Timeform Rating on the day from 123+ run prior. Just had to run to best to win.
2nd – Benbatl – Would have won any other year without Winx in the race. Came in with 129 Timeform rating and ran to 129! Ran 124 since. Was a career peak along with Dubai Turf win over 3l+ back in March of 2018.
3rd – Humidor – Beaten 4.75L into 3rd – you take that as an owner. Ran 122 Timeform on the day. Previous best 129 previous year behind Winx. Best since that 129 was this 123 and never improved. Previous best behind that was 125+. Peaked in 2017.
Author: Drew Patchell
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