Cox Plate Aim For Arod

Sheikh Fahad Al Thani’s high class 4-year-old Arod (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) is being prepared for a shot at the G1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley Racecourse, Australia October 24. In doing so the Peter Chapple-Hyam trained colt will bid to be the second successive European trained winner of the prestigious race following the victory of the Aidan O’Brien trained, Ryan Moore ridden Adelaide (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in 2014. Arod has a progressive profile and though as of yet unsuccessful at Group 1 level, his recent defeat to the world class miler Solow (GB) (Singspiel Ire}) in the G1 Sussex S. at Goodwood last week would suggest a top level success might not be far away. David Redvers, racing manager to the owner, is weighing up the best route to take in the meantime and commented, “I would say the Cox Plate is highly likely at this stage. A lot of it will come down to what he manages to achieve in the northern hemisphere in the next six weeks. There are really only two Group One options left for him here and those are the Jacques le Marois and the Prix Du Moulin. While there has been no final decision, if he were to win one of those, I think he would definitely go to Australia.” Arod has shown his best form this year over a mile but considering he finished fifth in the G1 Epsom Derby last year he should not have too much difficulty with the Cox Plate trip of 10 furlongs. Local bookmakers also make him ante post favorite for the race.