Noonan: Aeliana will "never" defeat Cosmic Crusader at 2000m

Is Aeliana or Cosmic Crusader the better horse across 2000m?

Some would say it’s a fairly obvious answer, considering the WA star has defeated the Chris Waller-trained mare twice this prep at the distance, but others argue that Aeliana could absolutely turn the tides.

On RSN’s Correct Weight, the Noonan brothers debated the topic, with Trav rendering Nick’s Aeliana argument “ridiculous.”

Nick believes that Cosmic Crusader just simply had the better run in behind Aeliana and based off the mare’s leadup to the Cox Plate, she was the best performing horse in the race.

Nick: “It's hard to be too critical of a bloke (J-Mac) that's won four of the last five (Cox Plates), but I think he just rode her like the best horse.”

“She hit the front a little way out, and I think Cosmic Crusader’s just had a better run in behind her.”

Trav: “I don't necessarily agree with the better run. He had the better turn of foot.”

Nick: “Well maybe, but when you look at the horses that are in the finish around her, she's off 21 days. Cosmic Crusader wins the race off (seven), Birdman was off 14, Ceolwulf was off seven days and Saint George is off seven days.

“So, of the horses out of the big gap, she's a huge run here. I think the others have just probably had a better platform for how the race worked out.

“She's the run of the race for mine.”

Trav: “I don't necessarily agree with that. The Turnbull Stakes leading into the Cox Plate historically has been one of the great platforms.”

Nick: “Yeah, historically, but look at this race. Everything else in the finish has not had that setup that she's had.”

__Trav: __“No, I just think that's rubbish.”

The debate continued with Trav exclaiming that the Andrea Leek-trained six-year-old is currently the best 2000m horse in the country.

Trav even went as far to say that Aeliana will never be able to turn the tides on Cosmic Crusader at the distance.

Trav: “I thought she had every possible chance there and she proved that under this sort of race shape at 2000m, Cosmic Crusader is just better. He's a better horse.

“He’s beaten her twice at 2000m coming from behind her.”

Nick: “Yeah, with a very good setup to do so in both races.

“I think she can definitely turn the tables if they meet again in a Champions Stakes.”

Trav: “She'll never turn the tables on him at 2000m.”

Nick: “Rubbish, absolute rubbish.”

Trav: “He's the best horse at 2000m in the country right now, Cosmic Crusader, he's proven that twice, Nick.”

Nick: “Just because he wins the race doesn't automatically mean he's the best horse and this and that. There's other factors that go into him winning.”

In the Champions Stakes (2000m) on November 7 at Flemington Cosmic Crusader and Aeliana may go head-to-head again.

Aeliana is the current favourite for that Group 1 at $3.50 with Sportsbet, while Cosmic Crusader sits at $4.40.

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