(Rod Gallegos is a leading commentator with Sky Racing and Sky Sports Radio.)  

This year's Cox Plate looks to be an even and intriguing contest. Helmet deserves to be favourite under the luxury weight afforded to three-year-olds but he is far from a certainty.

My fancy, naturally at good odds, is Sincero. This Wyong-based galloper may have paid the penalty for not having raced previously at Caulfield when he finished fifth in the Caulfield Stakes a fortnight ago.

Previously he was unlucky in the Epsom after having put together two strong wins in the George Main Stakes and Tramway Handicap.

From barrier six in the Cox Plate he should get a good run. It's worth noting that had he won the Caulfield Stakes he would be one of the favourites and now he is succulent double figure odds.

Defending Melbourne Cup title holder, Americain, takes the first step of his defence this year in the Moonee Valley Cup, however, it won't be an easy task.

The performance of Shewan a fortnight ago to win the Herbert Power Handicap at Caulfield was most meritorious and he may well perform a lucrative encore this weekend.

*****

IF truth is the first casualty of war, then idiocy may be the first casualty of the whip (or anti-whip) rule that exists particularly in England and, to a lesser extent, in Australia.

It is an emotive subject and has passionate supporters on both sides.

Take the recent issue in England where jockey Christophe Soumillon was suspended for five days and fined his winning percentage - estimated to be about $80,000 in our currency - for one illegal whip stroke on Cirrus Des Aigles when downing So You Think.

Surely the severity of that punishment definitely doesn't fit the crime.

Back here in Australia, Nick Hall was fined $5000 for exceeding the whip limits on Green Moon which was second in the Caulfield Cup.

Jockeys here are limited to five whip strokes before the final 100 metres and unlimited there after. And, bear in mind they are using padded whips anyway.

As I said it is an emotive issue and there is passion in both camps. However, one erudite media man, a strident opponent of the whip, has taken journalist licence to its extremes by piously proclaiming that racing was "violent entertainment!"

Please! 

*****

JAMES McDonald, the boom apprentice from New Zealand, has been lauded with lavish praise for his record-breaking season in New Zealand and several winning rides in Australia.

But, as they say, pride often precedes a fall; a fall from grace, in this case.

Last Saturday at Caulfield young McDonald underlined that well-worn adage of the futility of trying to put an old-head on young shoulders when he went too early on Sangster in the Norman Robinson.

Losing the Derby ride on Sangster is fairly harsh treatment because young jockeys learn from their mistakes.

However, McDonald is smart young man, who will benefit from the experience, and you can bet he will bounce back.