This will be a Spring Racing Carnival like no other… the Moonee Valley Racing Club had an enormous celebration planned for Cox Plate 2020, the 100th running of our greatest weight-for-age contest.
The COVID-19 pandemic has now made that impossible. But what matters most is the action on the track, so let’s make sure we’re staying up to date with all the horses set for Cox Plate 2020.
Odds displayed are from Australia’s favourite bookmaker, TopSport (odds updated 29th September).
Cox Plate 2020
Moonee Valley Racecourse, Saturday 24th October 2020
Weight-for-age, 2040m
Total prize money: $5 million
Cox Plate 2020: The Contenders
Russian Camelot: currently $3.20 with TopSport
Victorian trainer Danny O’Brien is looking to add to a string of recent big race wins, and Russian Camelot looks to be the horse to do that for him. A huge win in the South Australian Derby has the horse high in the market for both the Melbourne Cup and Cox Plate. Returned in the Makybe Diva Stakes, finishing second with a run that was full of merit, before winning the G1 Underwood Stakes in impressive fashion.
Simply brilliant, he’s a dual Group 1 winner. Russian Camelot is pure class. 😯 @DOBrienRacing @MelbRacingClub pic.twitter.com/s5CHCx4ctg
— Racing.com (@Racing) September 26, 2020
Sir Dragonet: currently $11 with TopSport
Highly-rated European stayer sent to Ciaron Maher and David Eustace for the spring. Recently ran second in the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup in Ireland
Armory: currently $12 with TopSport
Aidan O’Brien-trained entire who has been placed into quarantine. Ran third in the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes behind Magical and Ghaiyyath.
Aspetar: currently $15 with TopSport
British Group 1 winner who has been nominated for Cox Plate 2020. Trainer Roger Charlton has confirmed they’re aiming for The Valley.
Fierce Impact: currently $16 with TopSport
Claimed his third career Group 1 over the mile in the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington, subsequently firming in the Cox Plate market.
RESULT |
Fierce Impact wins the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes @FlemingtonVRC in tough fashion from Russian Camelot who would have lost no admirers with a sensational return to the track 👏pic.twitter.com/atdgZ09A3z
— RSN927am (@RSN927) September 12, 2020
Magic Wand: currently $16 with TopSport
Another O’Brien runner, this one making his second trip to Melbourne. Finished fourth in last year’s Cox Plate before winning the Mackinnon Stakes.
Humidor: currently $17 with TopSport
The old stager is enjoying a new lease on life under Chris Waller, winning the Group 2 Feehan Stakes at Moonee Valley before running second to Russian Camelot in the Underwood.
Verry Elleegant: currently $18 with TopSport
Star Waller mare who’ll have a high-profile spring campaign. Won the Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Rosehill in Autumn, and returned for the Spring with a tough win in the Group 1 Winx Stakes. Ran fourth as favourite in the Group 1 George Main Stakes, which saw her drift somewhat for the Cox Plate.
Verry Elleegant wins a thrilling Group 1 Winx Stakes! Another ripping ride from @mcacajamez and only fitting @cwallerracing takes it home again. pic.twitter.com/p6XfdMh4b1
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 22, 2020
Arcadia Queen: currently $19 with TopSport
Star performer from the west who had a stunning early career before faltering somewhat last Spring as she was pointed at The Everest and the Golden Eagle. Returned for the Spring in the Group 2 PB Lawrence at Caulfield, and then hit the line hard to finish second in the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes at Flemington. Ran third in the Underwood.
Glenfiddich: currently $20 with TopSport
Peter Moody colt who produced a slashing win in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes at The Valley. Headed to the Caulfield Guineas, then possibly onto the Cox Plate.
“Glenfiddich in front, he’s a good horse this bloke!”
He is a good horse indeed and wins the Group 2 Stutt Stakes. pic.twitter.com/eGADfCo9P5
— Racing.com (@Racing) September 25, 2020
Master Of Wine: currently $20 with TopSport
The Hawkes-trained gelding had a great Autumn campaign, which culminated in fourth place in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick. Possibly on track for the Cups, but a crack at Cox Plate 2020 cannot be ruled out. Returned for the Spring in the Group 1 Winx Stakes, then finished fourth in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes.
Surprise Baby: currently $20 with TopSport
Won the Group 3 Bart Cummings in the lead-up to the 2019 Melbourne Cup, before running a very credible fifth placing in the great race. Returned with a strong second in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes. Will be a genuine threat if pointed toward the Cox Plate.
Don’t forget to also check out our evolving guides to Melbourne Cup 2020 and The Everest 2020.
And while you’re here, look back over the history of this incredible race with our 9 Magic Moments In Cox Plate History.
