KEY POINTS:
MELBOURNE - A strong track gallop has encouraged transtasman trainer Mike Moroney to chase Saturday's Cox Plate with luckless mare Eskimo Queen.
Moroney immediately paid up for the A$3 million weight-for-age Cox Plate (2040m) after Eskimo Queen worked impressively at her first look at Moonee Valley yesterday.
Her work over 1600m, with race rider Craig Newitt aboard, allayed any fears of after-effects from her late scratching from the Caulfield Cup and convinced Moroney the Kiwi mare can feature in the weight-for-age championship.
"I couldn't fault her in her work and Craig was very upbeat about her," Moroney said.
"She was very relaxed; she's always had a tough nature. We think she's the right horse for the right race."
After becoming cast in the barriers when second favourite for the Caulfield Cup, Eskimo Queen escaped with only cuts to her head and leg and was given the all-clear by vets.
The Shinko King mare was among 13 Cox Plate acceptors yesterday and doubled New Zealand's interest in the big race, alongside the Shaune Ritchie-trained Magic Cape.
Neither was fancied in the TAB Sportsbet market, Eskimo Queen drifting to $35 after drawing barrier eight and Magic Cape a $101 outsider after drawing 13 for new rider Blake Shinn.
David Hayes' star mare Miss Finland was last night's $4 drifting favourite after drawing the No 1 gate.
Haradasun (barrier four) was at $5 and El Segundo (barrier seven) at $5.50.
Originally, Moroney thought Saturday's Moonee Valley Cup (2500m) would be the better option for Eskimo Queen with a view to the Melbourne Cup on November 6.
But he remained undecided about lining up in the Melbourne Cup, saying the Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) on November 3 and Sandown Classic (2400m) on November 17 were other possibilities if she came through this week's test.
- AAP
