The Cox Plate is set to have more of an international flavour in 2023, with several runners nominated by some of the biggest trainers worldwide for arguably Australia’s greatest thoroughbred race.
Of the 178 nominations for the Moonee Valley feature in October, nine runners hail from Aidan O’Brien’s stable in Ireland, while the current favourite with most online bookmakers, Romantic Warrior, has been nominated by Hong Kong trainer Danny Shum.
After winning the 2021 Cox Plate in dramatic fashion with State Of Rest, Joseph O’Brien has nominated three runners, with Group 1 National Stakes winner Al Riffa headlining the trio.
From New Zealand, Andrew Forsman has nominated stable stars Aegon and Mustang Valley, while Graeme & Deborah Rogerson and Ken & Bev Kelso have nominated Sharp ‘N’ Smart and Legarto respectively.
Australia’s leading trainer, Chris Waller, dominates the Cox Plate nominations with 27 entries in total, while Annabel Neasham and the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott yard have each entered 11 horses.
After winning the 2022 Cox Plate with Anamoe last year, James Cummings and the Godolphin yard have just one runner nominated: Pericles.
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