W.S Cox Plate – Saturday October 24, 2020
2040m | Weight-For-Age | Moonee Valley Racecourse | Prize money: $5,000,000
About the Cox Plate
The Group 1 2020 W.S. Cox Plate is Australia’s 2nd richest weight-for-age (WFA) race and is regarded by many as Australasia’s premier WFA race. It is held over a distance of 2040m and is run at the peculiar Moonee Valley track, which is renowned for it’s tight turns and extremely short 173m straight. The 2020 edition of the Cox Plate will commemorate the 100th running of the great race.
Often described by racing enthusiasts as “The best 2 minutes in sport”, the Cox Plate has recently been dominated by super-mare Winx who won a record 4 straight Cox Plates between 2015-2018. Kingston Town (1980-82) was the only other horse to win the prestigious race 3 consecutive times. Japanese mare Lys Gracieux dominated the 2019 edition.
Cox Plate History
The race is named in honour of the Moonee Valley club founder, W.S. Cox and was first run in 1922. Many great horses have gone on to become champions after winning the prestigious race, and only 10 horses have been able to win the race twice, including champions – Phar Lap, Sunline, Northerly, Fields of Omagh and Winx.
Cox Plate Key Statistics
- 3-year-olds have a terrific record in the race, despite having a low number of runners each year – they have won the race 20 times
- T.J. Smith has been the most successful trainer of the race winning 7 editions
- Horses who started as favourite have won the race 41%, with the shortest price favourite being Phar Lap in 1931 at $1.07
Past Cox Plate Winners
| Year | Horse |
|---|---|
| 2019 | Lys Gracieux |
| 2018 | Winx |
| 2017 | Winx |
| 2016 | Winx |
| 2015 | Winx |
| 2014 | Adelaide |
| 2013 | Shamus Award |
| 2012 | Ocean Park |
| 2011 | Pinker Pinker |
| 2010 | So You Think |
| 2009 | So You Think |
| 2008 | Maldivian |
| 2007 | El Segundo |
| 2006 | Fields Of Omagh |
| 2005 | Makybe Diva |
| 2004 | Savabeel |
| 2003 | Fields Of Omagh |
| 2002 | Northerly |
| 2001 | Northerly |
| 2000 | Sunline |
| 1999 | Sunline |
| 1998 | Might and Power |
| 1997 | Dane Ripper |
Cox Plate Betting
Early Betting
Boom galloper Russian Camelot ($3.30) currently dominates Cox Plate betting fresh off a commanding win in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes. A veteran of just 7 starts, the Danny O'Brien trained galloper is already a two-time Group 1 winner and is regarded by many as the best horse in the country. While a Melbourne Cup is the ultimate goal this spring, there's no doubting his credentials come October 24th and is a deserved favourite. Sir Dragonet ($11) and Armory ($13), headline this years international contingent looking to depart with Australian riches. Sir Dragonet in particular brings strong European form through the likes of Magical and no doubt will be popular with punters. The journeyman Humidor ($15), Fierce Impact ($15), and Arcadia Queen ($17) will also all get their chance, however it's one way traffic for the Russian early.
Betting Options
A range of betting options exist for the Cox Plate including a win bet and a place bet. Some other forms of horse racing betting include: quinella, exacta, trifecta, first 4, quaddie and the big6.
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