Small field in Might And Power has big implications for Cox Plate hopefuls Treasurethe Moment and Buckaroo

A tactical race in two, with respect to Globe and Hezashocka running for third in the Might And Power, augurs to an equally select Cox Plate on October 25 at The Valley.

Treasurethe Moment, a $1.70 favourite on Saturday, could rebound after a second place in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) last start following a minor colic setback.

Treasurethe Moment banked a fourth Group 1 triumph, her first against the older horses, with an emphatic Memsie Stakes (1400m) coming-of-age performance.

The rising star mare with victory could cement a dual-pronged Cox Plate bid from owner-breeder Yulong Investments with Treasurethe Moment and top seed Via Sistina.

Treasurethe Moment placed second behind a rampant Pride Of Jenni last start at The Valley.

Yulong chief operating officer Sam Fairgray welcomed the Matt Laurie-trained Treasurethe Moment performance after the colic scare.

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“She always gives her all and coming towards the corner you probably thought (we’re a chance),” Fairgray said.

“Any other horse she probably would’ve picked up but Pride Of Jenni just kept going.

“It looks like a bit of a match race Saturday (with Buckaroo), as we always know there can be a curveball thrown.

“We’ll see hopefully Saturday a nice truly run race and she can relax and be really strong late.

“It’s exciting to have two runners heading to the Cox Plate … it’s going to be a fantastic race the way its heading, Sir Delius, Antino, you never know what’s going to happen.”

Results on Saturday could shape the Cox Plate picture.

Valley organisers wished for eight or nine in Australia’s best race – the last on the legendary track before its full redevelopment. Six could be a stretch.

Barring the unforeseen, the locks include reigning Cox Plate champion Via Sistina, Sir Delius and Antino.

Previously fancied Aeliana and Tom Kitten, the latter set to run in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) next Saturday in Sydney, remain doubtful.

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The Caulfield Guineas winner on Saturday, and potentially an eligible runner-up or luckless challenger, could also enter the Cox Plate frame.

Caulfield Guineas favourites Wodeton ($3.90) and Autumn Boy ($4) hold Cox Plate entries along with Nepotism ($15) and Rivellino ($23).

Australian Cup winner Light Infantry Man, withdrawn from the $1m Might And Power to run in a $2m Group 2 in Sydney on Saturday instead, is aimed at the Cox Plate.

Buckaroo, runner-up in the Caulfield Cup last year, could force Cox Plate consideration on Saturday with victory in the Might And Power as a $2.50 second favourite.

Buckaroo finished second to Sir Delius last start in the Underwood Stakes.

Sir Delius stamped the form with a Group 1 Turnbull Stakes win from Antino and Via Sistina.

Field sizes has laced racing and social chatter the past week, with higher stakes in Sydney on lesser races, designed to erode Melbourne tradition and prestige, attributed to a decline – namely the Might And Power quartet.

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Prizemoney is a factor, sure, but so too the glut of similar or clashing race options, coupled by the dearth of genuine and emerging weight-for-age 2000m talent.

How many runners in the $2m race in Sydney on Saturday warranted a spot in either the Might And Power or Cox Plate? Two of the 14, at a pinch.

A wedged-in $1.5m 1400m handicap on Saturday in Sydney – Alan Brown Stakes – has spread the talent pool thin across the Group 1 Epsom and Toorak Handicap.

The Might And Power, Caulfield/Yalumba Stakes previously, acted as the last Cox Plate tune-up historically but in the past 15 years the 2000m feature has attracted four of the six smallest Australian Group 1 fields.

Legendary Winx defeated only two other horses in 2016, while Probabeel (2021) and Atlantic Jewel (2013) saluted in five-horse fields.

Treasurethe Moment or Buckaroo, based on market order, could join a prestigious honour roll on Saturday laden with Cox Plate champions.

Originally published as Small field in Might And Power has big implications for Cox Plate hopefuls Treasurethe Moment and Buckaroo