The Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) has attracted a star-studded field of nine for the $5 million feature set to be run at Moonee Valley on Saturday, October 26.
Amongst the field of nine, six are former Group 1 winners, with Prognosis and Docklands bringing excellent international form, it shapes as one of the more even Cox Plate fields in recent times.
Prognosis firmed in betting almost immediately once connections drew barrier five during Tuesday morning’s barrier draw at Moonee Valley.
The Japanese-trained galloper will look to join 2019 winner Lys Gracieux as a Cox Plate champion from the Land of the Rising Sun. Damian Lane who partnered Lys Gracieux to victory, will also partner Prognosis.
Arguably Australia’s best weight-for-age horse Pride Of Jenni holds the second line of betting post barrier draw.
The three-time Group 1 winner will need to jump from barrier seven, but under regular jockey Declan Bates, the pair look to be the sole speed influence in this year’s Cox Plate.
After an eventful morning at trackwork prior to the barrier draw, Via Sistina will jump from barrier 4.
Having dislodged James McDonald at the traditional Tuesday morning trackwork before the Cox Plate barrier draw, their were fears that Via Sistina would not line up in the Group 1 feature after taking herself around Moonee Valley three extra times after dislodging McDonald.
Trainer Chris Waller confirmed that she will be given until Saturday 7:30am AEDT to make sure she is 100% ahead of the race.
Star three-year-old Broadsiding will look to hand Godolphin a second Cox Plate win in three years when Jamie Kah and the three-time Group 1 winner jump from barrier 8.
After a somewhat poor run in the Caulfield Guineas (1600m), Broadsiding will go around with just 49.5kg on his back at his first crack at 2000m.
Mr Brightside rounds out the runners at a single figure quote and will be looking to replicate the feat of Anamoe in 2022, returning 12 months after finishing second to claim Cox Plate glory.
Craig Williams will once again partner the son of Bullbars, with the pair set to jump from barrier two.
The Harry Eustace-trained Docklands along with Royal Patronage, Kovalica and Evaporate make up the remainder of the field.
2024 Cox Plate Final Field
1. Mr Brightside (2)
- T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes
- J: Craig Williams
- W: 59kg
- F: 2212x
- Age: 7YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Bullbars
- Dam: Lilahjay (NZ)
+115
2. Prognosis (5)
- T: Mitsumasa Nakauchida
- J: Damian Lane
- W: 59kg
- F: x42x1
- Age: 7YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Deep Impact (JPN)
- Dam: Velda (GB)
-250
3. Kovalica (9)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Mark Zahra
- W: 59kg
- F: 243×5
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Ocean Park (NZ)
- Dam: Vitesse (NZ)
+500
4. Royal Patronage (3)
- T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
- J: Michael Dee
- W: 59kg
- F: 3331x
- Age: 6YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Wootton Bassett (GB)
- Dam: Shaloushka (IRE)
+500
5. Docklands (1)
- T: Harry Eustace
- J: Blake Shinn
- W: 59kg
- F: x7222
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Massaat (IRE)
- Dam: Icky Woo (GB)
+220
6. Pride Of Jenni (7)
- T: Ciaron Maher
- J: Declan Bates
- W: 57kg
- F: 2125x
- Age: 7YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Pride Of Dubai
- Dam: Sancerre (NZ)
-166.67
7. Via Sistina (4)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: James McDonald
- W: 57kg
- F: 151×2
- Age: 7YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Fastnet Rock
- Dam: Nigh (IRE)
-153.85
8. Broadsiding (8)
- T: James Cummings
- J: Jamie Kah
- W: 49.5kg
- F: 41×11
- Age: 3YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Colt
- Sire: Too Darn Hot (GB)
- Dam: Speedway
-117.65
9. Evaporate (6)
- T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes
- J: Karis Teetan
- W: 49.5kg
- F: 31111
- Age: 3YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Per Incanto (USA)
- Dam: Savanna (NZ)
+340
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