The Group 1 Cox Plate is known as the Australasian weight-for-age championship, run over 2040m at Moonee Valley on Saturday, October 26th. With $5million prizemoney on offer, the race typically attracts the best middle-distance and staying horses from Australia and abroad.
Champion mare Winx became the first horse to ever win four Cox Plates and as we enter a new era following her retirement, this year's race shapes as a wide-open betting race.
2019 Cox Plate Odds
There will be a maximum of 14 horses contesting the Cox Plate and with only six horses currently guaranteed a start, there remains uncertainty over which horses will make the final field. Harlem ($34), Cape Of Good Hope ($8.00) and Homesman ($11) have won their way into the field through exemption races, while international invitees Danceteria ($15), Kluger ($21) and Lys Gracieux ($4.20) are ensured of their place.
It has been announced that Hartnell is likely to take his place in the Caulfield Cup rather than the Cox Plate, while Thousand Guineas winner Flit will head to the Wakeful Stakes. Makybe Diva Stakes winner Gatting is heading home to Western Australia and will not contest the Cox Plate, while connections of comeback hero Black Heart Bart are likely to pay the late entry fee. That means there is potentially 14 horses competing for the remaining eight spots in the final field of the Cox Plate.
With a current lack of genuine stars in the Australian weight-for-age middle-distance ranks, many believe it's the Japanese representative Lys Gracieux is the one to beat. The six-year-old mare is a dual Group 1 winner and will line up here fresh off victory in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen. She heads the market at $4.20.
Avilius could only manage 4th in the Caulfield Stakes last start, but he remains a $7.00 second-favourite, closely followed by the Caulfield Stakes winner Cape Of Good Hope at $8.00. One-time favourite Mystic Journey joins him at $8.00. They round out the single-figure chances in the Ladbrokes market.
Check out the full market for the 2019 Cox Plate below, courtesy of Ladbrokes!
*Odds correct as of 14 October 2019. Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes.
