Plate looms large for Miltarize
Militarize will likely proceed to the Cox Plate if he can win a fourth G1 in next Saturday’s $3 million Caulfield Guineas.
Trainer Chris Waller confirmed on Saturday that Brazilian star Joao Moreira would again ride the Golden Rose winner at Caulfield, before connections size up a potential Cox Plate run against the best weight-for-age horses in the land.
Waller said the Cox Plate was at the back of his mind but added the extremely valuable son of Dundeel had a job to do before that could be considered.
“Sure, but honestly, it’s all about the Caulfield Guineas, protecting his value and getting the job done and then we can look a bit higher,” he said.
Militarize is already valued in the many millions, with Arrowfield Stud this week buying into the ownership of the juvenile winner of both the ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes and Champagne Stakes.
The Cox Plate is a natural progression for the colt as Waller said he doubted he would end up in the Victoria Derby.
“It’s unlikely with horses values these days,” he noted. “He’s worth a lot of money.
“At this stage he looks pretty good. I guess the next six months will tell us.
“Those extremely good hoses just keep lifting and he’s right up there with the best (three-year-old) I’ve had. But he still has to finish it off.
“He’s a good horse and it’s exciting to bring a horse like that down here. He does everything we’ve asked.
“First-up at 1200 metres, a few things went against him, but he was sharp enough to beat the best three-year-olds in the Golden Rose and we know the mile is not a problem.”
Militarize is the current $2.90 Caulfield Guineas favourite and he is on the fourth line of Cox Plate betting at $11.
