Cox Plate 2024: your ultimate guide to the time-honoured Group 1 race at Moonee Valley worth $5million
With the Spring Carnival in full swing, attention turns to the 101st staging of the Cox Plate at Melbourne’s Moonee Valley on Saturday.
The Group 1 classic, first raced in 1922, is named after WS Cox, the founder of the Melbourne Racing Club.
Horses will gallop over 2,040 meters with prize money of $5 million, meaning the annual race – which jumps at 5.10pm AEDT – attracts the best weight-for-age competitors. Both in Australia and abroad.
Previous winners include racing legend Phar Lap (1930-31), three-time Melbourne Cup-winning mare Makybe Diva (2005) and Winx, who saluted for four consecutive years between 2015 and 2018.
Japanese stayer Prognosis ($3.80) is the early favorite 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 point: consistent galloper and a crowd favorite. Don’t give a discount.
With the Spring Carnival in full swing, attention now turns to the 101st staging of the Cox Plate at Melbourne’s Moonee Valley on Saturday (Photo, Pre-Race Favorite Forecast)
Superstar jockey James McDonald – who will ride Via Sistina (pictured) – is chasing his 100th career Group 1 win
2. Forecast (barrier 5)
Jockey: Damian Lane
Coach: Mitsumasa Nakauchida
Odds $3.80
The low point: Pre-race favorite, it will take a while to stop.
3. Kovalica (barrier 9)
Jockey: Mark Zahra
Coach: Chris Waller
Odds: $26
The low: prefer the place.
4. Royal Patronage (barrier 3)
Jockey: Michael Dee
Trainer: Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott
Odds: $34
The low point: may be surpassed by the quality field.
5. Docklands (barrier 1)
Jockey: Blake Shinn
Trainer: Harry Eustace
Chance: $15
The low point: In-form jockey, value bet.
6. Pride of Jenni (barrier 7)
Jockey: Declan Bates
Coach: Ciaron Maher
Odds: $4.80
The low point: a real coincidence.
Decorated coach Chris Waller is confident Irish stayer Via Sistina can salute at Moonee Valley
Trainer James Cummins (right) hopes Broadsiding stuns the quality pitch at Moonee Valley
7. Via Sistina (barrier 4)
Jockey: James McDonald
Coach: Chris Waller
Chance: $4
The lowdown: Could be the fairy tale for hoop James McDonald, who is chasing his 100th career Group 1 win.
8. Widening (barrier 8)
Jockey: Jamie Kah
Coach: James Cummings
Chance: $6
The Low: Should show up when it matters.
9. Evaporation (barrier 6)
Jockey: Karis Teetan
Trainer: Ben, Will and JD Hayes
Chance: $20
The low point: a win would surprise.
What is the start time?
The horses are expected to jump the barriers on Saturday afternoon AEDT at 5.10pm, as the ninth race of a 10-strong card.
Champion mare Winx won the Cox Plate four times, a record (photo, with jockey Hugh Bowman)
A packed crowd is tipped to watch the Cox Plate live, first staged in 1922 (photo, racegoers trackside last year)
Where can I watch the Cox Plate if I don’t have a ticket?
Channel 7 will broadcast 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 prize money is $5 million, with the triumphant connections and jockey taking home $3 million.
$750,000 awaits second place, with $375,000 for third place.
The Cox Plate: Past Winners
2023 – Romantic warrior
2022 – Anamoe
2021 – Dormancy
2020 – Lord Dragonet
2019 – Leie Gracieux
2018 – Winx
2017 – Winx
2016 – Winx
2015 – Winx