Deane Lester’s Cox Plate Day Best Bets

Posted on October 22, 2021October 22, 2021 | Posted by Deane Lester

RACE 4 NO.4 GENERATION

The Red Anchor Stakes (1200m) looks a competitive race for the three year old colts and geldings with not much separating several runners, however talented colt GENERATION comes off a freshen and appears well placed to return to winning form. After winning his first two starts at Morphettville and Caulfield last campaign, the son of Snitzel has returned to racing with placings at Caulfield and Moonee Valley before a freshen. His last start 3^rd behind MYNUMEROUNO over 1200 metres at Moonee Valley on September 4 was a solid effort and showed that he can handle the Valley circuit. Champion Sydney based rider James McDonald takes the ride and GENERATION is well placed to record his third carer victory.

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RACE 5 NO.12 NATIVE GIRL

Lightly raced filly NATIVE GIRL appeals as a good value chance when she tackles the 3YO Fillies Classic (1600m). Whilst still a maiden after two starts, the daughter of Tivaci has shown genuine talent on both occasions and looks destined to win races. At her last start, she ran on well to finish 3^rd over 1415 metres at Sale on October 6 giving the impression that the extra distance of this race will be in her favour, which may not be the same for many of her rivals who look distance queries. In-form rider Linda Meech takes the mount and watch for NATIVE GIRL to be finishing strongly over the final stages.

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RACE 9 NO.1 ZAAKI

ZAAKI has been a long time favourite for this year’s Cox Plate (2040m) and can justify that popularity with a victory in Australasian’s greatest weight for age race. The Annabelle Neasham trained gelding has won his first two runs this campaign before a surprise defeat at short odds when 3^rd behind PROBABEEL in the Might And Power (2000m) at Caulfield on October 9. It was at his fourth run in his last campaign that the seven year old showed his true talent with a stunning win in the Doomben Cup (2000m) in May. Significantly, his regular rider James McDonald is reunited with him for the grand final of his preparation and ZAAKI can etch himself onto the Cox Plate honour roll with a win representing the best bet of the day.

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