Home Australia Cox Plate 2024: your ultimate guide to the time-honoured Group 1 race at Mooney Valley worth $5million

Cox Plate 2024: your ultimate guide to the time-honoured Group 1 race at Mooney Valley worth $5million

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With the Spring Carnival in full swing, attention now turns to the 101st staging of the Cox Plate at Mooney Valley in Melbourne on Saturday (pictured, favorite pre-race forecast)

With the Spring Carnival now in full swing, attention turns to the 101st staging of the Cox Plate at Mooney Valley in Melbourne on Saturday.

First contested in 1922, the Group 1 classic is named after WS Cox, who founded the Melbourne Racing Club.

The horses will gallop over 2,040 meters and the prize money on offer is $5 million, ensuring the annual race, which starts at 5.10pm AEDT, attracts the best weight-for-age entrants of Australia and abroad.

Previous winners include racing legend Phar Lap (1930-31), triple Melbourne Cup winning mare Makybe Diva (2005) and Winx, who saluted for four consecutive years between 2015 and 2018.

Japan’s 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 2024 Cox Plate runners.

Field – 2024 WS Cox Plate – Group 1, Mooney Valley Racecourse

1. Mr Brightside (barrier 2)

Rider: Craig Williams

Coach: Ben, Will and JD Hayes

Fees: $8.50

The Truth: Consistent galloper and a crowd favorite. Don’t discard.

With the Spring Carnival in full swing, attention now turns to the 101st staging of the Cox Plate at Mooney Valley in Melbourne on Saturday (pictured, favorite pre-race forecast)

Superstar jockey James McDonald, who will ride Via Sistina (pictured), is chasing his 100th career victory in Group One.

Superstar jockey James McDonald, who will ride Via Sistina (pictured), is chasing his 100th career victory in Group One.

2. Forecast (barrier 5)

Rider: Damian Lane

Coach: Mitsumasa Nakauchida

Fees $3.80

The truth: the pre-race favorite will require some stops.

3. Kovalica (barrier 9)

Rider: Mark Zahra

Coach: Chris Waller

Fees: $26

The truth: I prefer the place.

4. Royal Board of Trustees (barrier 3)

Rider: Michael Dee

Coach: Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott

Fees: $34

The truth: it could be surpassed by the quality field.

5. Docklands (barrier 1)

Rider: Blake Shinn

Coach: Harry Eustace

Fees: $15

The truth: fit rider, value bet.

6. Jenni’s Pride (Barrier 7)

Rider: Declan Bates

Coach: Ciaron Maher

Fees: $4.80

The truth: genuine opportunity.

Decorated trainer Chris Waller confident Irishman Via Sistina can salute Mooney Valley

Decorated trainer Chris Waller confident Irishman Via Sistina can salute Mooney Valley

Trainer James Cummins (right) expects Broadsiding to surprise the quality field at Mooney Valley.

Trainer James Cummins (right) expects Broadsiding to surprise the quality field at Mooney Valley.

7. Via Sistina (barrier 4)

Rider: James McDonald

Coach: Chris Waller

Fees: $4

The truth: It could be the fairy tale for hoopsman James McDonald, who is chasing his 100th career victory in Group 1.

8. Barrage (barrier 8)

Rider: Jamie Kah

Coach: James Cummings

Fees: $6

The truth: it should appear when necessary.

9. Evaporate (barrier 6)

Rider: Karis Teetan

Coach: Ben, Will and JD Hayes

Fees: $20

The truth: a victory would be a surprise.

What is the start time?

The horses are expected to jump the barriers at 5.10pm on Saturday afternoon AEDT, as the ninth race on a 10-horse card.

Champion mare Winx won the Cox Plate a record four times (pictured, with jockey Hugh Bowman)

Champion mare Winx won the Cox Plate a record four times (pictured, with jockey Hugh Bowman)

A packed crowd is set to watch the live Cox Plate, which was first held in 1922 (pictured, racegoers trackside last year)

A packed crowd is set to watch the live Cox Plate, which was first held in 1922 (pictured, 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 open television, 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 winning connections and jockey taking home $3 million.

$750,000 awaits second place, and $375,000 for third place.

The Cox Plate: previous winners

2023 – Romantic Warrior

2022 – Anamoe

2021 – State of rest

2020 – Lord Dragonet

2019 – Lys Gracieux

2018-winx

2017-winx

2016-winx

2015 – winx

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