One of the country’s finest trainers will set foot on the vast green lawns at Flemington on Saturday with a serious Cox Plate chance and mixed emotions.
For most of his adult life, Joe Pride has dreamed of winning the country’s weight-for-age championship, and believes he can with Ceolwulf, but he always thought it would be at Moonee Valley.
This year, that is not an option.
Victory in the coveted race, and a $4 million first-prize share of its $6 million purse, will be achieved for the first time at Flemington – a shift in venue to accommodate Moonee Valley’s 21-month closure and $250 million rebuild.