COX PLATE PAIR HEADING FOR LATE VET CHECKS

Gold Trip on a recent win at Longchamp in Paris

Both Gold Trip and Callsign Mav will be re-examined on Friday morning to decide on whether they will run in the Moonee Valley showpiece, after both presented lame following initial veterinary checks. 

The other eight contenders lining up for the 2040m contest on Saturday have all been cleared including red hot favourite Zaaki, Chris Waller trained Verry Elleegant and Anamoe who will represent the Godolphin team.

Gold Trip was found to have be lame in the off-fore and off-hind leg, while Callsign Mav for current trainer John Bary, has an issue with his front left leg.

At the moment neither horse has missed any work since arriving in Australia, even with Gold Trip presenting with stiffness since his arrival at Werribee.

Co trainer Ciaron Maher has been upbeat since French Import Gold Trip arrived at the stable. 

“He was very stiff when he landed and had a fair bit of muscle soreness but really freed up,” Maher said.

“He’s a happy horse and did a bit of solid work on Friday at Werribee then the solid piece of work here on Saturday.

“Now we’ll just freshen up into the race. He’s been down to Altona Beach a little bit for something different to change it up and he seems to be enjoying it.”

The Maher and Eustace stable won the Cox Plate in 2020 with the ill fated Sir Dragonet who was recently euthanised after an accident in trackwork. Should Gold Trip be unable to start on Saturday it would leave the team without a runner to try and defend there crown.

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