Good Cox Plate draw for Highland Highland Reel's position as favourite for the Cox Plate hardened after he drew stall four for Saturday's Group One event. The Aidan O'Brien-trained three-year-old, who won the Secretariat Stakes at Arlington earlier this year before finsihing fifth behind Golden Horn in the Irish Champion Stakes, will also have the assistance of Ryan Moore in the saddle. O'Brien and Moore teamed up to win the weight-for-age championship with Adelaide 12 months ago. "We've got barrier four, so it's up to Ryan (Moore, jockey) now," Tom Magnier told www.racing.com.au. "The horse has travelled throughout Europe and around America, he is here and well and now we just need a bit of luck on the day." Another European challenger is Peter Chapple-Hyam's Arod, an improved performer this year who ran Solow to half a length in the Sussex Stakes when last seen. He will be ridden by Craig Williams who was delighted to draw stall five. "I'm very happy with the draw," said Williams. "He does dance around a little in the gates just going on his replays, so he won't be in there for too long. "He's got natural speed, he puts himself in the race, so he looks like he's drawn an ideal barrier." Criterion is another name familiar to the Europeans after running at Royal Ascot and York this summer, with Mark Johnston's former stayer Hartnell also lining up. William Hill, who sponsor the race, make Highland Reel their 9-2 favourite with Arod a 9-1 chance. "Highland Reel has a very similar profile to last year's winner Adelaide and there's every chance Ballydoyle could be celebrating another success," said William Hill spokesman Jon Ivan-Duke. "Highland Reel has been well-backed with our operation in Australia and here in the UK and after getting a plum draw we expect that popularity to continue through to Saturday."
