With the Spring Carnival now in full cry, attention turns to the 101st staging of the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley in Melbourne on Saturday.
First run in 1922, the Group 1 classic is named after W.S. Cox who founded the Melbourne Racing Club.
Horses will gallop over 2040 metres with the prizemoney on offer $5million, ensuring the annual race – which jumps at 5.10pm AEDT – attracts the best weight-for-age entrants from Australia as well as overseas.
Previous winners include racing legend Phar Lap (1930-31), triple Melbourne Cup winning mare Makybe Diva (2005) and Winx, who saluted across four successive years between 2015 and 2018.
Japanese stayer Prognosis ($3.80) is the early favourite this year with Damian Lane on board, ahead of Via Sistina ($4) and the Ciaron Maher trained Pride of Jenni ($4.40).
Here’s what you need to know about the Cox Plate 2024 runners.
Field – 2024 WS Cox Plate – Group 1, Moonee Valley Racecourse
1. Mr Brightside (barrier 2)
Jockey: Craig Williams
Trainer: Ben, Will and JD Hayes
Odds: $8.50
The low down: Consistent galloper and a crowd favourite. Don’t discount.
With the Spring Carnival in full cry, attention now turns to the 101st staging of the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley in Melbourne on Saturday (pictured, pre-race favourite Prognosis)
Superstar jockey James McDonald – who will ride Via Sistina (pictured) – is chasing his 100th career Group One win
2. Prognosis (barrier 5)
Jockey: Damian Lane
Trainer: Mitsumasa Nakauchida
Odds $3.80
The low down: Pre-race favourite, will take some stopping.
3. Kovalica (barrier 9)
Jockey: Mark Zahra
Trainer: Chris Waller
Odds: $26
The low down: Prefer the place.
4. Royal Patronage (barrier 3)
Jockey: Michael Dee
Trainer: Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott
Odds: $34
The low down: Might be outclassed by the quality field.
5. Docklands (barrier 1)
Jockey: Blake Shinn
Trainer: Harry Eustace
Odds: $15
The low down: In-form jockey, value bet.
6. Pride Of Jenni (barrier 7)
Jockey: Declan Bates
Trainer: Ciaron Maher
Odds: $4.80
The low down: Genuine chance.
Decorated trainer Chris Waller is confident Irish stayer Via Sistina can salute at Moonee Valley
Trainer James Cummins (right) will be hoping Broadsiding stuns the quality field
7. Via Sistina (barrier 4)
Jockey: James McDonald
Trainer: Chris Waller
Odds: $4
The low down: Could be the fairytale for hoop James McDonald, who is chasing his 100th career Group 1 win.
8. Broadsiding (barrier 8)
Jockey: Jamie Kah
Trainer: James Cummings
Odds: $6
The low down: Should feature when it matters.
9. Evaporate (barrier 6)
Jockey: Karis Teetan
Trainer: Ben, Will and JD Hayes
Odds: $20
The low down: A win would surprise.
What is the start time?
Horses are expected to jump from the barriers at 5.10pm on Saturday afternoon AEDT, as the ninth race of a 10-strong card.
Champion mare Winx won the Cox Plate a record four times (pictured, with jockey Hugh Bowman)
A capacity crowd is tipped to watch the Cox Plate live, which was first staged in 1922 (pictured, racegoers trackside last year)
Where can I watch the Cox Plate if I don’t have a ticket?
Channel 7 will screen the race on free-to-air TV, with coverage also on Sky Racing.
7 Plus is a streaming option.
How much does the winner get?
The total prizemoney is $5million, with the triumphant connections and jockey snaring $3million.
$750,000 awaits the runner up, with $375,000 for third.
The Cox Plate: Past winners
2023 – Romantic Warrior
2022 – Anamoe
2021 – State Of Rest
2020 – Sir Dragonet
2019 – Lys Gracieux
2018 – Winx
2017 – Winx
2016 – Winx
2015 – Winx
