![]() ![]() The Horse That Bart Built (Random House), the unauthorised biography of So You Think, now on sale, was the second leg last week of a daily double for racing enthusiast Helen Thomas, following her success as an owner-breeder at Wangaratta on Friday with Monogamy in a maiden. She is out of La Zabagalione, a half-sister to Tie The Knot. Zuccotto, also prepared by Walter and closely related to Tie The Knot, is entered for Saturday's Wakeful Stakes and the VRC Oaks. ''It was a privilege to have him,'' Walter said. Carrying the red colours and white cap of the Tait family, the magnificent gelding won from 1200m to 3200m, notched 13 group events and $6.2 million in prizemoney. Tie The Knot, 18, which died yesterday from complications of colic, was a ''life-changing horse'' for trainer Guy Walter. Thorn Park was trained by Bob Thomsen, apprenticed to Tommy Smith in the Tulloch era. Ocean Park is by former Australian sprinter Thorn Park out of Sayyida, a Zabeel mare, which was saved for stud after breaking her leg. Tulloch linkīeing bred at Trelawney Stud in New Zealand gives Ocean Park a Tulloch connection but it doesn't end there. The Melbourne Cup at Flemington on November 6 will have to be very tasty indeed to top the Cox Plate this year. So we don't breed two-milers, but Ethiopia, fourth to Ocean Park, was given a stress test on Saturday and should develop into a worthy rival for the French. But the Cox Plate again proved satisfying with the New Zealand- and Aussie-breds, headed by Ocean Park, going back to sixth. The meeting at the track on Friday night took away the satisfaction of tantalising appetisers to make up a great all-round experience. He was the driving force in turning the Cox Plate from an entree to the Moonee Valley Cup into the main. Saturday lacked the presentation and build-up of the great Cox Plates, which was generated by the enthusiasm of former chief executive the late Ian McEwan. Being rusted in tradition, the thought of the Cox Plate on a surgically enhanced Moonee Valley is abhorrent, as is having the main course under lights. The Moonee Valley Racing Club officials seem bent on changing the Cox Plate. The Melbourne Cup at Flemington is distant, albeit a vision splendid. To watch the Cox Plate is theatre in the round. Usually Moonee Valley brings out the best in horses. Well, as with the European champion Frankel, leave them in their comfort zone. ![]() How can we tempt top-liners from abroad to make such a hazardous journey over 2040 metres is one of the questions asked. The circuit, more like a dog track to critics, is a problem. Of course, every year produces different quality but many are looking for a new recipe regarding Australasia's weight-for-age championship at Moonee Valley. Do you appreciate the colonial fare of the Cox Plate or what is becoming the French cuisine of the Melbourne Cup? The question arises about which is the better dish. ![]()
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