Superstar filly Samantha Miss began her quest for Tatts Cox Plate glory on Saturday 25 October with her first look at Moonee Valley this morning.

Sydney-based trainer Kris Lees was pleased with the three-year-old’s soft hit out around the tight circuit.

“We just wanted to get her accustomed to the track and have a look around today.

“We’ll put her under a bit more pressure on Saturday, but so far she’s in good order and has done well since she arrived on Saturday.”

The last three-year-old filly to win the Cox Plate was Surround in 1976, so the statistics are not on the dual Group 1 winner’s side, however Lees is not too concerned.

“It’s well documented that three-year-old fillies don’t win the Cox Plate but this might be her year.

“The form suggests Samantha Miss is going as good, if not better, than Miss Finland was at this stage of her career. They had a similar pattern, four lead up runs into it.”

The Redoute’s Choice filly has won all four starts this Spring, her most recent victory in the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m).

Top-line jockey Glen Boss is no stranger to the Cox Plate winners circle, having steered the great Makybe Diva to victory in 2005.

“She handled herself brilliantly today. She’s athletic, clean winded and sensible. When she was going 16 to the furlong she really relaxed and had a good look around,” said Boss.

“The best thing about the Valley is the camber. Horses are forced to get on the right leg coming around the turn because they are galloping uphill and on a slight angle.”

While the Cox Plate is a high-pressure race, Boss believes the atmosphere on the day can catch the younger horses out, not necessarily the race itself.

“With the big crowds and amphitheatre environment, young horses can lose it, but Samantha Miss is intelligent and is very relaxed and that could be the key,” enthused Boss.

The weight-for-age scale allows Samantha Miss to carry 47.5 kilograms in the Cox Plate which lends a big weight advantage to connections and Boss is confident he can make the weight.

“I’m pretty confident I’ll get there. I start training today. I will go boxing two or three times a day, lots of walking, boot camp and will watch what I eat.

“I’ve got a dietician to help me with my meals which will start with protein for the first seven days. The main key is limited fluids and to keep occupied,” said Boss.

“I recently rode at 50 kilos and felt comfortable. The last time I rode at 48 was in the Stradbroke six years ago. I know it’s involved and it going to hurt, but Samantha Miss is the best three-year-old in Australia and there’s a big carrot at the end of the day!”