Racing: Brown to pay tribute to Katsidis

If rival jockeys allow Steven Arnold to provide So You Think with a soft lead, they've handed him the race. Photo / Getty Images

It won't be only the Shoot Out colours Stathi Katsidis was meant to be wearing that Corey Brown goes around Moonee Valley in today.

Last year's Melbourne Cup-winning jockey will be carrying his heart on his sleeve alongside a black band.

Perhaps the most spooky of all is that Brown will ride Shoot Out in the $3 million Cox Plate in Katsidis' silks.

He wants it to be a lasting tribute to the friend he lost tragically on Tuesday.

A month ago many were saying it might be an anticlimax Cox Plate this year.

There is no such animal. What a story we have here. On hearing of Katsidis' death, Brown contacted his manager and told him that as a mark of respect for the Queenslander under no circumstances was he to chase the Shoot Out ride.

Later on Tuesday trainer John Wallace called Brown and offered him the ride.

If Shoot Out wins you'll hear the cheering in New Zealand. But there is a mountain to overcome in the form of So You Think.

The fascinating element will be the riding tactics on So You Think. He led throughout to win last year, but in front is where he will be most vulnerable this afternoon.

It's almost impossible to imagine rival jockeys will allow Steven Arnold to provide So You Think with a soft lead. If they do that they've handed him the race.

If he leads, something will take him on and So You Think has been known to race right into the bridle when pressured. He won't hand up the lead because that would put him in the trail and the others would just love the opportunity to put him in a pocket.

He's by far the best horse in the race, but the riding tactics will be more difficult than many imagine. Sure, they might lead and hope, but you don't leave A$3 million races to chance.

Bad luck beat Phar Lap and many since and it can beat So You Think.

You just have to hope he steers well clear of it.

You could get $21 in Australia yesterday about our sole hope Wall Street.

Bart Cummings has another great chance on the card in Precedence in the A$275,000 Cathay Pacific Cup, which would springboard the Zabeel stayer into the Melbourne Cup markets.

He was a hot favourite for the Herbert Power last start and Cummings' instructions to rider Blake Shinn were to pull him wide at the 1000m and not go inside a horse.

Shinn seemed to have a better plan and tried to ride the horse too cute when he went inside and between runners on the home bend.

Precedence put his head up and didn't start trying again until close to the finish when he was making ground on the two that beat him home.

Safest bet all day is that Shinn won't make the same mistake.

Firebolt in Race 4 and Katie Lee in the last provide plenty of Kiwi interest in Moonee Valley.

•Deep Forest (No9, R1) is not a bad way to start the day at Ellerslie.

She has been consistent this preparation and was narrowly beaten on this track last start. She drops 2kg for this.

So Pristine (No7, R5) is quickly going to need a middle distance, but with only one run this preparation behind her she should be fresh enough for the 1600m. The small field will help. That was a good first-up second to stablemate November Rain at Taupo. November Rain (No1) meets her only 1kg worse off and will be tough to beat again.

The blinkers go on Leonucasam (No11, R6) and that could make all the difference. It wasn't a bad effort when fourth last start and this looks winnable.

Now that Altered Image (No1, R7) has found the winning post again, there is no reason he can't go on with the form. He copped a beautiful trail before winning at Hastings last start, but that wasn't the reason he won - he was simply too good for them. He's drawn to get a similar trip this time.

Race 8 is the best betting race on the card. Don't leave Askmeagain (No13) out of any bet type. He only just held on to win at Ruakaka, but he was resuming and was entitled to be feeling the pinch after leading. He's drawn nicely to get a perfect trip. The barrier draw is hopeless, but don't be surprised if Sam's Town (No6) runs some sort of race.

Shantaine (No8, R9) looks a mare of exceptional promise. She might improve with this first-up run, but don't be surprised if the stable has her fit enough to win. Nancho Bella (No11) has always looked the goods and her resuming win at Te Awamutu was no surprise. She drew wide and was off the track throughout that day. Here she's drawn perfectly.

Nightime Jockey (No5, R10) might have been one race short at Hastings last start. He's now had two runs back from a break and the 2400m here looks perfect for him. Affairoftheheart (No2) came from a long way off them after slipping early at Hastings last start. She has a top chance here.

•The heavy track will make it hard work at Trentham today.

Mark Oulaghan's Watabuzz (No5, R2) made a huge impression winning his third straight at Ellerslie last start. He's had a break, but Oulaghan knows how to get them fit without racing them and he won't be found wanting.

The Guineas could be a trap. In winning the Bonecrusher Stakes last start, Hoofit (No2, R6) showed he copes with rather than enjoys rain-affected footing. This track is likely to be worse again and he may struggle, although you can guarantee he'll try hard. Sweet Suitor (No4) looked no happier than Hoofit in fighting out the Ellerslie finish, but he was equally brave. Don't leave him out despite the conditions. There has to be a question mark on Cellarmaster (No2) in the conditions.

Rememba Howe (No1, R7) is sassy and tough and she's going to take plenty of beating despite the very tough conditions. She really knows how to find the finish.

Sharp Princess (No2, R8), She Rules (No4) and Lady Chaparral (No10) look the three in the Cuddle Stakes. Should be a good race with little between them.

The form on paper of Supertuf (No8, R9) and All In Tempo (No4) looks ordinary, but that does not reflect their ability. Supertuf should benefit from having a month away from racing and although you'd like to see a bit better surface for All In Tempo, he's better than this lot.