Among the plethora of prestigious horse races, the Cox Plate stands as a beacon of excellence. Attracting the finest thoroughbreds and capturing the hearts of racing enthusiasts worldwide.
Established in 1922, the Cox Plate has earned its reputation as the Weight-for-Age Championship of Australasia. Named after the founder of Moonee Valley Racing Club, William Samuel Cox, this race runs over a challenging 2040-metre track that demands speed and stamina. Over the years, the Cox Plate has evolved into a symbol of excellence, a stage where racing legends are born.
Unforgettable Moments
1986: Bonecrusher
The victor looked to be Our Waverley Star. But fighting back like a wounded bull Bonecrusher claimed the famous victory
1995: Octagonal
It’s a stallion-making race. Octagonal was no exception. Saluting in the Cox Plate with jockey Shane Dye in 1995. He earned a grand total of A$5,892,231 and retired to stud in 1997. He has sired 23 stakes winners & 64 stakes wins
2004: Savabeel
Savabeel was a three-year-old when he won the Cox Plate. His trainer Graeme Rogerson was both his co-breeder, part owner and trainer.
2010: So You Think
So You Think was favourite that year. He stalked the Waterhouse runner More Joyous before throwing down the gauntlet at the 800m. He dominated the Cox Plate and continued to do so a week later when he won the Group 1 MacKinnon Stakes (2000m).
2013: Shamus Award
Not only was he huge odds, but he was a maiden. It was all thanks to Atlantic Jewel, who scratched and gave Shamus Award a start being the first emergency. He led from start to finish and was the first three-year-old since So You Think to win it. Chad Schofield was the pilot on the day, he was only an apprentice at the time so it was first for both of them. He has sired one of this year’s runners, DUIAS for Edward Cummings.
2018: Winx
2018 was the last of Winx’s four Cox Plate winning reign. She made history. Winx is the only horse to have won the Cox Plate four times, by passing the previous three-time winner Kingston Town. She won by an impressive two lengths and this victory was her 29th straight win.
2022: Anamoe
The 2021 Cox Plate wasn’t to be for Anamoe therefore in the 2022 edition, he was looking for redemption. This victory crowned Anamoe a Godolphin conqueror. He won more Group 1 races than any other horse for Godolphin.
Cox Plate 2023 Edition
Every year the Cox Plate promises to deliver a champion and this year will be no exception. Militarize is the featherweight of the race carrying only 49.5kg with a handy gate in barrier 3. James McDonald is going for back-to-back wins in the Cox Plate on the Hong Kong star Romantic Warrior. He’s won 10 from 15 starts but his run in the Turnbull stakes left us wanting. The Maher and Eustace stable have been bullish about Gold Trip all prep. Quite rightly so! He’s a Melbourne Cup Winner, he’s placed in a Caulfield Cup twice and dominated his rivals in the Turnbull stakes. Blinkers on with top Jockey Mark Zahra.
Alligator Blood is absolutely flying! Gai believes he can win it with his eyes shut. It’s worth noting the Cox Plate is one of the four Grand Slam races along with Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup and Golden Slipper. Gai reckons this is her best shot at completing the Grand Slam. She has won seven Golden Slippers, a Melbourne Cup and Caulfield Cup. So Naturally you can feel her eagerness to add the Cox Plate to the trophy cabinet. Mr Brightside ran the second-fastest 600m in last year’s Cox Plate, he has plenty of admirers here and has shown great tenacity all season long. He has a great record at the Valley, the question will be if he can run out the 2040m. The soft gate gives him every opportunity and Craig Williams won’t be leaving any stone unturned.
Can Annabel win a Cox Plate?
She doubles up in this year’s edition, giving her a two-pronged attack. Two years ago it was a different story. She had the favourite for the race but an elevated temperature meant she had to scratch. This was reasonably early on in her career but it’s still haunting memory. Zaaki is no spring chicken but Annabel believes he’s improved again in the last twelve months. He is a month between runs but his gallop on Tuesday a Moonee Valley has him primed. My Oberon is Annabels second contender in the race. His most recent run in The King Charles III looks to be undervalued from a bookies perspective. But Annabel has an impressive record for both imports and runners over 2000m. We haven’t seen My Oberon run over 1800m in Australia but he has run fourth in a Prince Of Wales Stakes in the UK.
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