Bozza doubts Sir Alex's bravery

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MARK Bosnich has reiterated his desire to meet with Sir Alex Ferguson face-to-face but says he doesn't expect the former Manchester United manager to have the courage.

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Ferguson has created a media storm with claims in his recently released autobiography that Bosnich, a championship winning goalkeeper, was "unprofessional" and turned up for his first training session with the club three hours late.

Now a football pundit for Fox Sports, Bosnich has on several occasions said that he'd like to have a "right of reply" at the appropriate time and with speculation Ferguson would be heading to Australia for the Melbourne Cup, "the appropriate time" could be in less than two weeks.

However, speaking on Fox Sports show Shootout on Sunday night, Bosnich doubted Ferguson would have the guts for a meeting, "bravery isn't one of his greatest traits".

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"I will see him if he wants to come down and see me," Bosnich said.

"Apparently he wants to come down to the Melbourne Cup, but two people, if they want to meet have got to both want to meet.

"Knowing Sir Alex, bravery isn't one of his greatest traits, so he might not want to meet. But I'd like to say to him (my response) face-to-face exactly like Owen Hargraves, it's as simple as that."

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Former England midfielder Hargraves was also the victim of a Ferguson attack in the take no prisoners autobiography, and has gone public with the view that his former manager would never criticise him in the same way to his face.

A one-time Bayern Munich star, Hargraves never reached his potential for the Red Devils - a disappointment Ferguson blamed on a lack of self confidence.

In the days after the release of Ferguson's book, Bosnich pointed out that he was "the only player he ever signed twice at Manchester United".

"I'm honoured to be mentioned. He's entitled to his view and I'm entitled to mine," Bosnich added.

"The bottom line is he wants to sell books. I wouldn't be sat here, we wouldn't be talking if he didn't have the faith he had in me originally."  

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'Sydney FC need siege mentality'

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SYDNEY FC could be staring down the barrel of another wasted season if they don't find some "spirit" and "leadership", according to Mark Bosnich.

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Playing in front of a sold out Allianz Stadium, the Sky Blues could only muster one shot on goal as cross-town rivals Western Sydney Wanderers easily accounted for them in the first Sydney derby of the season.

While Bosnich admitted it was "easy to criticise in hindsight" both he and former Socceroos skipper teed off on the Shy Blues' poor display on Fox Sports show Shoot Out.

"The bottom line is this: players, staff, supporters have got to get together, it's a difficult time, especially after last night's tepid performance," Bosnich said.

"They need to get together, they need to inject some kind of team spirit and they need to have a siege mentality and if they don't there's going to be trouble down the line."

Well regarded as a strong leader, Moore was stunned by the vacuum in this area when Italian maestro Alessandro Del Piero doesn't play.

"They're on Struggle Street at the moment," Moore said.

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"They're finding it extremely tough. They've had injuries throughout pre-season as well, so they're probably not in a position they want to be in at the moment.

"They've got to get that confidence and belief back in the players.

"To me there still looks to be a lack of leadership if Del Piero doesn't play. There's nothing going forward."

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ROUND IN REVIEW

GAME OF THE WEEK

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The Sydney derby was the big one at the box office, but as far as entertainment on the pitch goes it's hard to go past the Mariners' win over Adelaide.

Josep Gombau's side has put up an enjoyable display every week, and Saturday afternoon was no exception.

But while the Reds owned the possession, the Mariners always looked in control and played a slick counter attacking game.

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Champions last season, Graham Arnold believes he's got an even better side at his disposal for this campaign, and Craig Moore finds it difficult to argue.

"They've got two young centre halves (Trent Sainsbury and Zac Anderson) who seem to have stepped in really well, Duke - I like what I've seen from him, and I think Flores has been an excellent signing and an excellent addition to what is a very good squad.

"Certainly they've started the season very well."

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HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK

How do you go past Shinji Ono scoring another derby peach?

Yes, he got plenty of assistance from Sydney FC's central defenders, who both had a chance to deal with the Japanese genius before he even got into shooting position.

But just to have the imagination to feign the volley before clipping the ball over his markers before regaining the ball was a delight to see in itself.

That he then finished neatly in the bottom right corner was the cream on the cake.

INCIDENT OF THE WEEK

Typically, the derby wasn't without incident and a Jerome Polenz challenge on Richie Garcia raised eyebrows when it was only dealt with by a free kick.

Garcia pulled down his sock to show the referee stud marks right down the front of his lower leg, but Stebre Delovski chose not to go to his pocket.

"I thought Stebre Delovski reffed the game very well, but I thought he missed that one," said Mark Bosnich.

"If you have a look at it very very closely, if he pulled out his red card, I don't think there would have been any argument from Jerome Polenz."

STAT OF THE WEEK

Won't make pretty reading for the Newcastle Jets.

After three games this season, they're still yet to get on the score sheet.

That's 270 minutes of football without hitting the back of the net. Ouch!

Thankfully the Jets are going OK at the other end, and have still picked up two points in the first three rounds.

WHAT WE LEARNT

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- Despite the signings of Matt Thompson and Richie Garcia, Sydney FC still have plenty of holes to fill.

- Shinji Ono scores incredible goals. Hopefully there's plenty more to come!

- We should have learned this already, but write the Mariners off at your peril. Graham Arnold might just have done it again.

- Newcastle Jets have either angered the famous witch doctor who cursed the Socceroos, or they need to find a striker. And fast!

- Mike Mulvey, didn't your parents teach you not to poke the bear?

- Melbourne Victory are an excellent side when Ange Postecoglou's coaching them...
 

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Shaw reveals trade heartache

Ray, Heath and Rhyce Shaw after the Pies' 2010 premiership. Picture: Tim Carrafa Source: HeraldSun

HEATH Shaw has revealed his football career would have been over within two years had he stayed at Collingwood.

Speaking for the first time since signing a five-year, $3.5 million  deal with Greater Western Sydney, Shaw has spoken of the heartache of leaving the Magpies where he played 173 games - including the 2010 premiership.

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The three-week trade period was an emotional roller-coaster for the 27-year-old, who didn't want to leave the club he'd been at for a decade and his family had been involved with for 40 years.

"I told them (Collingwood) I wanted to stay and they said they wanted to trade me," Shaw told The Daily Telegraph.

"I was pretty shocked and upset at that time.

"After it was done I didn't really want to speak to anyone, I went off-line for a few days just to take it all in.

"The process wasn't the greatest process to go through but now that it's done and dusted I'm really excited about the challenge ahead.

"I'm looking forward to getting to Sydney and getting stuck into pre-season."

TOOVEY RETURN HUGE FOR PIES

It will be the first time in 40 years there has not been a Shaw at Collingwood. Heath's father Ray captained the club and played from 1974-1981, his uncle Tony captained the 1990 premiership and played and coached from 1978-1999. His older brother Rhyce played there from 2000-2008.

While heartbroken to be leaving the club he and his family have had such a long association with Shaw is convinced the Giants deal will ultimately help him and the Giants.

Heath Shaw is excited at the prospect of getting to know his GWS teammates. Picture: Rohan Kelly Source: DailyTelegraph

"If I stayed at Collingwood I'm pretty confident I would have played out the two years remaining on my contract and that would have been it," Shaw said.

"The Giants have given me the opportunity to go somewhere else to re-energise and spend five years with a team that is up and coming, developing and improving and that's the exciting thing about going to GWS.

FORMER CAT JOINS SHAW AT GWS

"Hopefully this year there's an improvement on last year and we keep developing over the next few years.

With his recruitment, Giants coach Leon Cameron has a player in the prime of his career who still thinks he can get better after 10 years in the game.

"I want to improve and get better as a footballer, I want to improve on this season where I was solid without being great," Shaw said.

"Selfishly I want to play some good footy and go up the ground and get amongst it and he's (Cameron) more than happy about that.

"I've had some good conversations with Leon about how that will happen."

As one of the experienced players at the Giants Shaw will also be expected to take on leadership responsibilities.

"Being an older statesman I have to push my team mates on the training track and push myself," Shaw said.

"Hopefully they jump on board and they can get some experience off me and learn what it takes to get to that top level which is a premiership. It takes a long time and a lot of hard work."

Heath Shaw says he'll always have plenty of mates at the Pies. Picture: Stuart Mcevoy Source: HeraldSun

After some initial anger at Magpies coach Nathan Buckley, Shaw says he's moved on and is focusing on the next stage of his career.

"Bucks has got a direction that he wants the club to go in. He wasn't my favourite person when the decision was made to trade me," Shaw said.

"He knows what he wants to do and to be honest I'm happy that the decision has been made.

"He sent me a message after the deal was done and I replied to it. It was pretty hard, I didn't ever think I would be in that situation.

"To be honest it's the best thing for me and it's the best thing for Collingwood.

"I'm always going to love the club and its people. My best mates have come from Collingwood and I've still got plenty there.

"I can't say a bad word against Collingwood because they gave me the opportunity.

"I won a premiership there with a great bunch of blokes and I'll always be able to share that."

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Test by Test struggle for Clarke

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AUSTRALIAN captain Michael Clarke has now become a Test by Test proposition with his dodgy back.

And Australian physiotherapist Alex Kountouris admits medical staff are going to have to be firmer with Clarke and sometimes rest him from Test cricket.

Michael Clarke of Australia had his back stretched by team physiotherapistAlex Kountouris at Trent Bridge. Picture: Ryan Pierse Source: Getty Images

Clarke is confident of being fit for the first Ashes Test against England at the Gabba, but the latest episode with his back has raised concerns about his long-term future in the baggy green.

CA have instituted a rehabilitation program to prevent a career-threatening breakdown, but when asked if the skipper now faces being rested from Test matches, Kountouris was unequivocal.

"Absolutely," he said. ''We will get him up for the Ashes, one Test at a time, but we are hopeful he will get through the whole series.

''I'm still very confident we will get a lot of cricket out of Michael but there are going to be times where we are firmer now when we say OK, you just can't play this game.

''Obviously we are prioritising Test cricket, but we are going to have look at what he plays and when he plays. That's no different to what other sports do with their mature players.''

Clarke has managed his degenerative disc since his teenage years but the problem has escalated dramatically this year.

Struggles with his back marred Australia's tour of India in March, with the 32-year-old forced to sit out the fourth Test in Delhi and relinquish the captaincy to Shane Watson.

Australian coach Darren Lehmann, right, with captain Michael Clarke. Picture: Glyn Kirk. Source: News Limited

Australia's best batsman has since missed the Indian Premier League and the entire current one-day series in India.

Clarke appears a certain starter for the Ashes opener at the Gabba and his playing comeback will become official when he will be named in the NSW team to play Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield match at Blacktown, beginning on Wednesday.

But there are no longer any iron-clad guarantees of his participation in any game of international cricket.

''We will just play it by ear ... it is something that we can't predict,'' Kountouris said.

''We know the signs. It's not just a matter of rolling him out and pushing him out onto the field to play a game.

''The load he has put through his back has gone up in recent years and because of that he has had a few more flare-ups.

''We are certainly going to look at what he plays and when he plays.''

Cricket Australia high-performance coach Graeme Hick can sympathise with Clarke. The former England batsman battled back problems in the mid-1990s but managed to play Test cricket just shy of his 35th birthday.

"I don't know Michael's exact injury and it could be different to mine," Hick said.

"When it's bad as a batter, it is uncomfortable, you tend to get sharp pains. I don't know how uncomfortable Michael gets but I had a problem from being quite tall.

"But once I identified my back problem, I had it sorted out and it took probably two years for it to settle down and for me to realise how to manage it.

"In my case, it didn't shorten my career but I did stop bowling for a few months. I was pretty lucky to be able to play on with it."

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Change needed to revive series

The International Rules series is in danger. Source: Patrick Hamilton / AAP

THE AFL will consider re-introducing the All-Australian side to represent the country in future International Rules Series games against Ireland.

Australia's disappointing performance in the first game of the series in Cavan, Ireland, last week, has forced AFL football operations manager Mark Evans to consider further modifications of rules and the timing of the hybrid game.

Sending over an all indigenous side has received plenty of criticism in Ireland as the Gaelic Athletic Association says the concept of the series is to provide the most talented players.

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Speaking on the eve of this morning's second and final game of the series at Croke Park in Dublin, Evans said the AFL would consider re-introducing the All Australian side for future games.

In the past, All Australian players were given first option of representing their country, but the selection policy changed in 2005 to hand-pick players best suited to the pace of the game but a change of rules could be implemented to suit bigger players.

And Evans said consideration would also be given to changing the timing of the series to a November or even January/February date.

Ireland is due to travel to Australia next year, followed by a gap year in 2015.

PARTYING AUSSIES HIT WITH CAUTION

The GAA and AFL are still negotiating whether the series will go beyond next year, with the Irish independent suggesting it's not 100 per cent guaranteed that the Ireland team will play here in 2014.

The newspaper suggests the series' future is precariously balanced.

One of the modifications being considered is some more physicality which has almost disappeared since a crackdown on the on-field violence which threatened to end the game after the 2005-06 series.

"There is some physicality in the game, but I think the opinion is that we have been very protective of that, given the recent history from some years ago," Evans told the Irish Independent.

"Maybe a small amount of more physicality would be a good thing for the game. It's just about getting the right balance between the two codes.

"If we feel that there could be a slight amendment to the rules that would allow some of the bigger AFL players to participate then we might be able to go back to the All-Australian side representing us," Evans said.

CROWS 'WANT McKERNAN TO STAY'

"The best era for this game seems to have been when all those players were playing."

Former Port Adelaide's Matthew Primus was vice-captain of Australia in Ireland in 2002, yet didn't play because he was deemed unsuitable for the game with a much greater emphasis on speed and nimble footwork.

It was a similarly embarrassing fate to that suffered by ruckmen Shaun Rehn and Steven King on previous trips.

One motivating force to hand-picking players was the farce of 2004 when only five members of the All-Australian team made themselves available to tour Ireland.

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Big week ends in derby for Poppa

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IT has been an eventful few weeks for Western Sydney Wanderers coach Tony Popovic.

He was in the running for the Socceroos job before Ange Postecoglou landed it, but rumours linking him to the vacant Crystal Palace job came as news to him on the eve of the Sydney derby.

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Popovic has been mentioned as a possible candidate to take over from Ian Holloway, who was sacked as coach of the English Premier League club on Wednesday.

Popovic played for Palace from 2001 to 2006 and was the club's assistant manager for the 2011/12 season before he returned to Australia to coach the Wanderers.

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"That's news," Popovic replied when told his name had been thrown into the hat.

"I don't know about (being in) the market, but they're a great club and they're a club that's close to me. I want them to do well in the Premier League and I'm sure they'll make the right appointment to try and keep them in that position.

"I don't know about being linked to a Premier League club because I haven't heard anything, but again rumours are big in football and I'm sure they've got a huge list of candidates that would love that job."

But Popovic remains focused on Saturday's Sydney derby and admits the match will be a special occasion.

"I think they're different on match day," he said.

Tony Popovic puts Crystal Palace players through their paces at training. Source: Getty Images

"I haven't really noticed a difference at training, the training has been great. I think the game on a whole, from last years experience, they are a bit different. Form goes out the window and they're special games. It will be a special night with a great atmosphere and great intensity."

Popovic is expecting Alessandro Del Piero to be involved in the game at some stage, but says they will be prepared for any scenario.

The Wanderers have drawn their first two matches of the season and Popovic believes a result isn't far away.

"Results are one thing, but we've been pleased that we've played some good football in both games and we're really concentrating on trying to extend the time in those games that we play well. If our performance keeps improving then the wins will come."

Aaron Mooy hasn't recovered in time from last weekend's head knock and, despite feeling good, won't be available for the Wanderers.

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I can handle Test cricket: Cummins

Pat Cummins is confident he can handle rigours of Test cricket. Source: ALEXANDER JOE / AFP

PAT Cummins has sought the counsel of pace legend Dennis Lillee as the luckless quick fights to prove his growing frame can withstand the rigours of Test cricket.

It has been almost two years since Cummins hit world cricket like a tsunami, ripping through South Africa with match figures of 7/117 to clinch a famous two-wicket win in his Test debut.

He has since been sighted about as often as the Loch Ness monster.

There has been three consecutive injury breakdowns, no second baggy green cap and incessant questions as to whether Cummins will ever bounce back as a regular Test fixture.

But, at the tender age of 20, Cummins has one important commodity – time.

The NSW tearaway was on course to play in the upcoming Ashes series, only to have his dream shattered by stress fractures in his lower back during Australia A's tour of South Africa in August.

Former Australian express bowler Shaun Tait reluctantly walked away from the baggy green when he realised that his high-octane, slinging style could not consistently carry his sizeable frame through five days of Test cricket.

Cummins, however, remains resolute.

Pat Cummins during the ICC Twenty20 Cricket World Cup. Source: AFP

The Ashes may be a write-off but working with Lillee, who himself fought back from lower-back problems, has assured Cummins he will not be a one-Test wonder.

"The baggy green is the most special and enjoyable thing. I'm not giving that up," said Cummins, who has managed just six first-class games since his debut for the Blues in March 2011.

"I love short-form cricket but Test cricket is still the ultimate for me and I believe my body can handle that," Cummins said.

"The camaraderie around a five-day Test is special and that's my aim.

"I don't think I'm any more injury-prone than any other young bowler.

"Having the help of Dennis and the confidence is of Cricket Australia is good, it keeps me motivated.

"I know there will setbacks at my age but hopefully I am setting a good foundation for the future.

"I still want to aspire to a long Test career."

The upside is that Cummins is ahead of his latest schedule.

Initial CA medical reports indicated that the 192cm speedster would miss most of the 2013-14 summer, but Cummins is on track to play in the Big Bash tournament starting December 20.

By February, Cummins could be in contention for Australia's three-Test tour of South Africa, the country that has already witnessed his highs and lows.

"The plan is to start bowling around the 16-week mark, which is early December," he Cummins said.

"Once I'm 100 per cent, hopefully I can jump straight into the Big Bash.

"I don't think I will play Shield cricket.

"With everything I have been through, playing a first-class game could be high-risk."

Cummins said he had felt in a "really good place" during his ill-fated Australia A tour.

"I felt like I was bowling well but at towards the back end of the tour I started to feel a pain that I haven't felt before," Cummins said.

"I felt frustration in that I was looking forward to a big summer against England.

"I only played a couple of first-class games in South Africa, but it reaffirmed how much I love playing the longer form and really getting into the contest."

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Whincup-Winterbottom feud heats up

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FORGET Anthony Mundine and Danny Green — the greatest feud in Australian sport now belongs to V8 Supercars.

After 19 years of sly sledges, racetrack nudges and classic Bathurst battles, the bad blood between Ford's Mark Winterbottom and Holden arch rival Jamie Whincup has finally exploded to new levels up here at the Gold Coast 600.

Born during their teenage go-karting days, the bitumen bout is now such that Winterbottom said his nemesis — who branded him "a clown" after Thursday practice — was a hypocrite, a sore loser and starting to be mentally affected by the stoush.

Asked about the clown insult, Winterbottom said: "I've never said anything about Jamie, Craig Lowndes or any Holden driver, so his reaction, it shows this whole thing is starting to affect him . . . I think that's why he's come out saying stuff.

"But does it make me angry? No, I had a good laugh. We're certainly not mates, don't hang out. But we're different people with different values in life.

Jamie Whincup watches on after his race is ended by an accident. Source: News Limited

"I'm a family man, love my kids and love my fans. That's who I am. He's not married and, yeah . . . he's at a different point in his life."

On Saturday, it was Winterbottom who scored bragging rights, finishing the first Gold Coast 600 race third while Whincup watched on from the garage, his Red Bull car having crashed out on lap 21 with co-driver Paul Dumbrell behind the wheel.

It was an important result for the 2013 Bathurst 1000 winner, who, during those celebrations, had described his Red Bull rivals as arrogant.

Will Davison throws his car over a bump on the Gold Coast. Source: News Limited

That one line prompted Whincup to return serve after practice here on Friday, suggesting his rival was dragging far too much mileage from his maiden victory at Mount Panorama after 10 years of trying to tame Bathurst.

"Which is a bit surprising because they've been the most vocal team of anyone,'' Winterbottom said.

"I remember when (Red Bull boss) Roland (Dane) described me as being 'as popular as turds in a swimming pool' and that was fine.

"But then the moment there is something even slightly negative about them there's this huge uproar.

"Motorsport is full of memories . . . it seems some are smaller than others."

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Longer thought he'd be a Hawk

Billy Longer thought he'd become a Hawk. Source: DAVID CROSLING / AAP

ST KILDA recruit Billy Longer admits he thought he was headed for Hawthorn.

Longer, 20, became a Saint after the Brisbane Lions agreed to swap him and pick 48 for selections 25 and 41.

It was not the outcome the emerging ruckman - originally taken by Brisbane at pick 8 in the 2011 national draft - expected two weeks ago.

"To be very blunt I thought it (a move to the Hawks) was going to get done," Longer said.

"But the way it has sort of panned out I couldn't be happier with where I am."

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Asked about the harsh nature of the trade period, Longer said: "It's very brutal ... (but) there's a bit of give and take."

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Longer said he considered St Kilda a good fit because of the departure of the club's No.1 ruckman Ben McEvoy to Hawthorn.

"It's a big thing with McEvoy leaving but there's still, me included, three developing ruckman, so I think it's a good position to be in because there's three of us fighting to make positions," Longer said.

"It's worked out pretty well for us."

St Kilda, who also secured Greater Western Sydney defender Josh Bruce in exchange for pick 48, boasts selections 3, 18 and 19, in next month's national draft.

"It's been an exciting period for the club the last week now that everything has come to fruition," Saints list manager Ameet Bains said.

"We've obviously had to be a bit aggressive and bold with a couple of our moves. But things have paid off.

"We're very excited about Billy and have three first-round draft picks."

The Saints remain interested in dumped Collingwood ruckman Darren Jolly who could still join the club as a delisted free agent.

"We've got dialogue going," Jolly's manager Paul Connors said. "How it turns out we'll wait and see."

Jolly, 32 next month, has already passed a medical with the Saints.

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Longer joined Sam Docherty (Carlton), Elliot Yeo (West Coast), Jared Polec (Port Adelaide) and Patrick Karnezis, who moved to Collingwood yesterday in a straight swap for Jackson Paine, as young Lion runaways.

Brisbane talent manager Rob Kerr said the club would be reviewing how it develops and looks after its young players after the exodus.

"We just move on now and think we have got a reasonably positive outcome of what might have been a fairly ugly situation," Kerr said.

"It's clearly not the ideal outcome ... we learn from it and obviously as a club we will look back and see what things we need to do better.

"I've said all along it's something the club as a whole has to own."

Brisbane midfielder Pearce Hanley yesterday hit out at his departing teammates, labelling them "mummy's boys" on Twitter.

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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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