By George, Cox decision to stay pays off
Nick Cox’s decision to knock back job offers in Melbourne and stay in Perth is starting to pay dividends.
Cox ran'''' Tony Noonan’s satellite stable in Perth for almost four years before Noonan pulled the pin on the operation.
Leading Melbourne stables chased Cox’s services, but he opted to stay in Perth with wife Elaine and their two sons and train in his own right.
His gallopers are starting to emerge, led by Young George, an impressive winner on debut at Belmont Park yesterday.
“It’s taken a while but I’ve got a good team now,” Cox said.
“I only bought four yearlings last year but we got 16 this year. I’ve got about 32 horses at the moment.”
Young George trialled for the first time last Friday and backed up to claim yesterday’s Westspeed Plate (1000m).
Settling outside of the leader for jockey Jarrad Noske, Young George ($4) proved too strong for Brisanto ($3) when scoring by a length.
Invincible Man, the $2.30 favourite, ran on from fourth but couldn’t figure in the finish when running third.
Young George was Cox’s most expensive yearling buy, knocked down for $50,000 at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast yearling sale.
“I couldn’t sell him and I only did the deal to seal the rest of him two months ago,” Cox said.
“He’s not a big horse but he’s well put together.”
Spirit Bird, another of Cox’s promising two-year-olds, will have her second start at Belmont on Saturday. The Savabeel filly impressed when running second to Chillie Storm on debut at the same track.
Tradesman, a full brother to classy galloper Trading Day, burst into Belmont Guineas (1600m) contention after winning yesterday’s Get Your Westspeed Forms In Now Handicap (1650m).
Stewards yesterday suspended apprentice Emma Stent for 26 days for careless riding at an adjourned inquiry from last Thursday’s Pinjarra meeting.
