Australia's premier weight-for-age contest, the Cox Plate switches from its traditional home of Moonee Valley to Flemington this weekend.
First ran more than 100 years ago, the valuable Group 1 transfers to the vast expanses of Flemington while its traditional home undergoes extensive redevelopment.
The likes of Via Sistina, Romantic Warrior and Winx have won this within the last decade and it usually takes a pretty good one to pass the post in first. It also can be a decent pointer towards the Melbourne Cup too -- maybe more so this year given its transfer to Flemington -- with Makybe Diva the last to pull off the famous double.
Sir Delius looked as if he would sweep all before him early on in his new career down under, but arrives at Flemington with just one win beside his name from his last five starts. Eighth behind Bluestocking in the 2024 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, he made the trip over from France as one of Europe's most promising middle distance performers and soon landed both the Underwood and Turnbull Stakes. A couple of goes at a mile haven't really suited, but the 10 furlongs here might just be his optimum trip. He does need to bounce back from a disappointing effort when defending his Turnbull crown last time out, however.
Five-year-old filly Aeliana could potentially end the weekend as Melbourne Cup favourite if she lands a fourth Group 1 on Saturday. Chris Waller's charge is currently a 14/1 chance for the "race that stops a nation" and success here would see her shorten significantly. She is a very good stayer at this trip and will need a good pace to be seen to best effect.
One of two three-year-olds in the field, Warwoven gets a tremendous amount of weight from his elders. He has been improving all season long, registering a career best last time out when landing the Caulfield Guineas and who knows where the ceiling is with an extra two furlongs to go at.
Cosmic Crusader defeated many of these in the Turnbull at the beginning of the month and is a fascinating addition to the race. Despite being six, he hasn't had too much racing and the career best that he produced over course and distance might just signify that he is very capable horse at 1m2f. Despite only managing to run fourth, his effort in the Caulfield Cup was a decent effort given he was under top weight at a trip that he had never attempted.
Cox Plate confirmed runners
- Ceolwulf
- Light Infantry Man
- Sir Delius
- Attrition
- Cosmic Crusader
- Birdman
- Land Legend
- Middle Earth
- Saint George
- Aeliana
- Warwoven
- Blind Raise
Cox Plate betting odds
(Odds will display when market is available)
Any odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation.
