Betting tips / Mathew Thompson / 21 October 2011 / 1 Comments Bet Now

Betfair's highly respected spring carnival form analyst Dominic Beirne is expecting a fruitful Cox Plate Day for punters with many favourites rated as stand out selections.

In his weekly spring carnival preview prepared exclusively for Betfair, the man credited with revolutionising modern form analysis has identified Cox Plate favourite Helmet as one of the better selections on a challenging Moonee Valley program.

Helmet's Cox Plate rating is higher than previous three-year old winners So You Think, Octagonal and Savabeel. He can win from the lead, sitting second or if he lands the box seat. Kerrin McEvoy should be assertive but he can't afford to go as fast as he did in the Caulfield Guineas. That ride, whilst acclaimed now, was only a long head away from being a slaughter.

Despite identifying Helmet as superior to his rivals, Dominic believes one aspect of history is against him. The last 12 Caulfield Guineas winners have finished unplaced in a Cox Plate. Only God's Own has tried since 1999 and (on ratings) Helmet would beat him by two lengths.

Outside of the Cox Plate favourite, Dominic may have identified a blow-out chance for multiples.

Dominic suspects Efficient may put speed in the race at the 900 metres. The stable would surely deduce from the form guide that this field is comprised mainly capable milers and only a few horses would be considered strong at 2400 metres.

He's a massive improver third-up. Last preparation, he won the Turnbull at his third run back from a two-year spell.

Beirne believes there are several other 'specials' on the program.

The handicapper is telling us that Karuta Queen ($3.20 in race three) is a good thing. She is a winner at 1200 metres in the Magic Millions at Gold Coast and will bounce straight on the bunny here.

Americain ($3.50 for race six) is rating two lengths lower than last season but he doesn't need to rate above his Geelong Cup from last year to assess him as 6-4 chance. There is no other weight-for-age quality runner engaged.

Sophie's Spirit ($23 in race nine) is likely to run this field along at a good tempo, providing a good contest with many chances. She's a winner at the track and may be worth a ticket at the current odds.