Cox Plate News

Cox Plate contenders racing this weekend

Sincero runs in the Epsom Handicap this week on his way to the Cox Plate in three weeks time.

The last Moonee Valley meeting before the Cox Plate takes place tonight.

But incredibly, the best guides for Australia’s weight for age championship will take place at Randwick tomorrow and Flemington on Sunday, as well as across the Tasman at Hastings.

Tonight’s Moonee Valley meeting is headlined by the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m), featuring star three year old Sepoy and Sydney’s queen of the turf More Joyous.

While More Joyous started second favourite in last year’s Cox Plate, she will not be lining up in the race this year.

Randwick’s Super Saturday, with four Group 1s on the card, features the running of the time honoured Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m).

The Epsom Handicap-Cox Plate double has not been done in the same year since Noholme won both races in 1959; Chatham (1932) and Nightmarch (1929) did the double prior to that.

However, dual Epsom winner Super Impose (1990, 1991) came back to win one of the best runnings of the Cox Plate in 1992.

This year, Epsom favourite Sincero is being discussed as a top Cox Plate chance, while the likes of Pinker Pinker, Secret Admirer, Foreteller and Sacred Choice are still in the running for a Cox Plate berth.

Among the other Group 1s, the Flight Stakes (1600m) for the three year old fillies may prove to be an intriguing guide to the Cox Plate this year.

Two of the fillies – Patinack Farm’s Pane in the Glass and the Kiwi Dowager Queen – are still among nominations for the Cox Plate, and both sets of connections have hinted that a tilt at the race could be on the cards.

The last Flight Stakes winner to contest the Cox Plate was Samantha Miss in 2008, while only one three year old filly – Surround – has actually won Australia’s weight for age championship.

The Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) has provided a Cox Plate winner in the past, with Savabeel (2004) coming through the race.

However, none of the fancies are nominated this year, and Anthony Cummings has indicated he won’t pay a late entry fee for the heavily backed favourite Strike the Stars should he win.

The Group 3 Craven Plate (2000m) sees Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner My Kingdom of Fife have his final run before the Cox Plate.

Across the Tasman, and New Zealand’s best galloper Jimmy Choux will attempt to win New Zealand’s most prestigious weight for age race, the Group 1 Spring Classic (2040m).

In some markets Jimmy Choux has surged to favouritism for the Cox Plate, and he will be looking to enter the race on a winning note.

Sunday’s Flemington meeting, as always, is likely to produce a Cox Plate runner or two, with the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes the highlight.

Glass Harmonium, Rekindled Interest, Linton and Playing God are the most notable runners on a Cox Plate path.

With just three weeks to go until the Cox Plate, it is not too late to purchase your tickets for the 2040Club’s Cox Plate Lunch!