Boss: Cox Plate a race in five

Suspended jockey Glen Boss says his regular ride, Puissance De Lune, is the Cox Plate horse to beat. Picture: Nicole Garmston Source: Nicole Garmston / HeraldSun

TRIPLE Cox Plate winner Glen Boss is adamant only five horses are capable of taking out the $3 million race at Moonee Valley today - and predicted the horse he should have been riding, Puissance De Lune is the likely winner.

Boss maintains most of the Cox Plate runners can't win the nation's weight-for-age championship and he has narrowed the chances down to a select few: Puissance De Lune, Fiorente, It's A Dundeel, Happy Trails and the best bolter, Super Cool.

The champion jockey has ridden Puissance De Lune right through the horse's spring campaign but a careless riding suspension has robbed him of the chance of Cox Plate glory today.

Ben Melham, who once substituted for a suspended Luke Nolen to win a Group 1 on the mighty Black Caviar, replaces Boss today.

"I'll be cheering for the big grey horse and for Ben,'' Boss said last night. "If Puissance De Lune wins, I'll be so happy for 'Weiry' (Darren Weir) and the owners.

Super Cool beats It's a Dundeel in last year's Michelton Wines Vase. The pair clash at Moonee Valley again in the Cox Plate. Source: News Limited

"I wish I was riding him today but listen, I haven't lost a leg or anything.

"The suspension is not a big deal, it's the swings and roundabouts in racing.

"If this is the worst thing that happens to me, then I've got nothing to complain about.''

Boss, who has ridden Makybe Diva (2005), So You Think (2009) and Ocean Park (2012) to Cox Plate victories, says Puissance De Lune is "ready to explode" in today's big race.

"I rode the horse in his gallop at Moonee Valley last Thursday (nine days ago) and for the first time this preparation, when I looked at him he was 100 per cent fit,'' Boss said,.

"His next two runs - the Cox Plate and the Melbourne Cup - will be his best.''

Boss said Puissance De Lune's form this spring has been outstanding, much better than it reads in the form guides.

(From left) Fiorente, Fawkner, Happy Trails and Puissance De Lune fight out the Turnbull Stakes finish. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

"He was very good first-up winning the Lawrence Stakes, then in the Makybe Diva (Stakes) a bit of pilot error got him beaten,'' Boss admitted. "I probably exposed him a little early, he should have won.

"In the Underwood Stakes, forget it. He had a bad draw, got back in a slowly run race and ran seventh but it was a super run.

"The Turnbull Stakes was different again. He presented to win but the track was hurting him. He went to win by two lengths but just didn't stretch out over the final 100m or so.

"So, for mine, he has had a really good 'prep', he goes to Moonee Valley where the track is going to suit him, and he should be a short-priced favourite.

"I'm pretty confident he can win, the horse is ready to explode today.''

Boss then went through the field looking for dangers and could only find four.

"Happy Trails can win because his is so good and he is going better now than last year,'' Boss said.

Puissance De Lune goes for a stroll along Lady Bay beach at Warnambool. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

"Fiorente can certainly win, he's a very good horse, and obviously the favourite It's A Dundeel, and the 'big sleeper' in the race is Super Cool.

"I rode him last start in the Caulfield Stakes and he was going to run two lengths second to Atlantic Jewel but he felt the firm track.

"The softer ground at the Valley will really help - Super Cool is way over the odds for mine.''

Boss was dismissive of the chances of the remaining nine runners in the Cox Plate.

"Green Moon, Seville and Masked Marvel are on the Melbourne Cup trail, I can't have Foreteller or Rekindled Interest, and the internationals, Side Glance and Mull Of Killough will struggle,'' he added.

"I can't see the three-year-olds winning, not when two superstars like All Too Hard and Pierro couldn't win the race last year.

"Maybe I've got it wrong but I think the only winning chances are Puissance De Lune, Fiorente, It's A Dundeel, Happy Trails and Super Cool.''

Puissance De Lune is ridden back to the stables after a track gallop at Ballarat. Picture: Nicole Garmston Source: HeraldSun

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