Thursday 22 October 2015 15:15, UK
Peter Chapple-Hyam is excited to see stable star Arod bid for one of Australia's biggest prizes in the William Hill Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
Connections first mentioned the Cox Plate as a potential target after his victory in Ascot's Summer Mile in early July, since when he chased home the brilliant Solow in the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
For a while the four-year-old looked like missing out on a trip Down Under due to quarantine rules, but he was eventually given the green light.
Chapple-Hyam said: "Everything has gone well. This has been the plan for a long time, although it was on and then off and then on again, but everyone who's with him is very happy.
"I've been speaking with the lads twice a day. They've sent me videos of him working and I've been checking on the times and telling them what to do and things like that. It's all worked well.
"I'm really looking forward to seeing him run."
Arod will be partnered by Craig Williams in the extended 10-furlong contest and the leading Australian jockey is bullish about his chances.
He said: "I'm very happy with Arod going into the Cox Plate and very happy with the barrier draw (stall five).
"I love his form coming over from Europe. He was second in the Sussex Stakes and Solow, who beat him, arguably would be the best miler in the world.
"To have a horse with Arod's credentials in a Cox Plate is a really impressive step for Australian racing and especially Moonee Valley.
"He's not going to break clocks as he's quite lazy in his work, but he's got the best form in the race and the horse is healthy and well."
Arod is joined on the trip from Europe by the Aidan O'Brien-trained Highland Reel and French challenger Gailo Chop.
O'Brien and jockey Ryan Moore teamed up to win last year's Cox Plate with Adelaide and, like Highland Reel, this year's representative lines up having landed the Secretariat Stakes at Arlington Park in Chicago earlier this year.
Coolmore's Tom Magnier said: "Adelaide was a great traveller and this horse seems to have travelled well.
"The Coolmore team at Werribee seem happy with him. We need a bit of luck on the day but we think we might have a real chance."
Trainer Chris Waller has a formidable hand, with Winx, Preferment and Kermadec all reported in good shape.
Waller told www.brisbanetimes.com.au: "They're very good. I couldn't have been happier with their work through this week.
"They've got good lead-up form, which is important, and they now come to the grand final in good shape."
The Cox Plate is one of the few major prizes Down Under to have so far eluded Gai Waterhouse, who saddles the Kerrin McEvoy-ridden Pornichet.
"I've been knocking on the door. It would be lovely to finally win a Cox Plate, it is such a great race," Waterhouse told www.perthnow.com.au.
"It takes a very, very good horse to win this race."
Hartnell, formerly in the care of Mark Johnston, is one of two runners for Godolphin, with his trainer John O'Shea also saddling Complacent.
"Complacent has come back after nearly two years on the sidelines, and his progress has been impressive," O'Shea told the owner's website.
Hartnell is in a slightly different position, as he prepares for the Melbourne Cup but he shouldn't be underestimated according to his trainer.
"I think he might surprise a lot of people. I am very happy with him, and I assure you, he is set to run a very big race in the Cox Plate," the trainer added.
Other contenders in a 14-strong field include Criterion, who ran with credit at Ascot and York this summer, and last year's Cox Plate runner-up Fawkner.
