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The Tatts Cox Plate is known as the race where 'Legends Are Made.'
In honour of the founder of Moonee Valley, William Samuel Cox, the Moonee Valley Racing Club Committee introduced a weight for age race over 2040m.
The W.S. Cox Plate was first run in 1922 with a purse of 1000 pounds, won by an imported English seven-year-old stallion Violencello, who won the Caulfield Cup in the previous year at only his fifth start in Australia.
Placed on the racing calendar between the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup, the Cox Plate is regarded as the best weight for age race in Australasia carrying total prize money of over $3million, making it the second richest race in Australia behind the Melbourne Cup.
Past winners include and impressive list of champions such as Phar Lap, Kingston Town, Rising Fast, Dulcify, Gunsynd, Super Impose, Octagonal, Might and Power, Sunline, Northerly, Fields of Omagh and the champion triple Melbourne Cup winning mare Makybe Diva. So You Think won his first Cox Plate as a 3 year old in 2009, winning again in 2010 before going on to run third in the Melbourne Cup the following week.
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Day Racing: suit, sports coat or blazer with a tie for gentlemen in the Members Reserve.
Night Racing: collared shirt & tailored trouser, no tie required and jacket is optional for gentlemen.
Ladies are asked to dress to a 'suitable standard in keeping with the distinction of the Members' Reserve.'
The flower for Cox Plate day is the Cecile Brunner (light pink) Rose.
1500m & 1600m: Located just after the winning post, runners have the opportunity to improve their position around the back of the course, making it a reasonably fair start for all. Inside draw will be an advantage when the rail is out 3m or more.
2040m: The Cox Plate start begins in the home straight in front of the grandstand, about 200m ahead of the winning post. There is a short run before the first turn, an inside barrier assists in gaining a good position early. Runners must make their bid for the lead before the home turn or wait for a lucky run wide or on the inside fence in the home straight.
2500m: With a straight run of 400m before the first turn, barriers are of little importance due to the distance involved.
3000m: The same start as for 1200m. Runners complete more than one and a half full circuits of the course, barriers are of little importance due to the distance involved.
About the track: Circumference is 1805 metres, length of the home straight is 173 metres. The only track in Victoria to be made with Strathayr. The Valley is consistently rated between Good and Dead, rarely rated worse than Slow. Even after heavy rain, the sand base compacts to become firm and drainage is very good. The track is a tight turning cambered circuit which some horses do not handle very well (particularly those who are trained at larger tracks or used to running in the opposite direction.) Horses trained at Mornington (one of the smaller provincial Victorian tracks) often go well here as the tracks have similar characteristics.
Barriers are of little consequence when the rail is True, as fields are limited to a maximum of 15 and often there are only 8 - 10 runners in a race. When the rail goes out 5m or more we see a distinct advantage to those who are drawn in and can race on the pace. They can dictate the speed of the race and get a winning break from the turn into the home straight. One thing to look out for is a top weight drawn in barrier 1. They often get trapped too far back and are unable to make up sufficient ground in the straight.
1000m, 1100m or 1200m barriers are of little consequence when the rail is True, an inside draw is an advantage when the rail is out 3m or more. There is always an advantage to racing on or near the lead at the sprint distances at this track.
Administration: Moonee Valley Racing Club. Official website www.mvrc.net.au. |
Feature Races: The Cox Plate is Australia’s premier Weight for Age event, held over 2040 metres in late October at Moonee Valley racecourse in the week between the Caulfield Cup & Melbourne Cup.
History: First run in 1922, the Cox Plate always attracts the finest horses racing in Australia and beyond and is known for being the scene of some truly unforgettable racing moments. Every raceday during the Spring Carnival has an official flower, for the Cox Plate it is the Cecile Brunner Rose.
Cox Plate Statistics: A race for quality horses; winners include Phar Lap, Dulcify, Kingston Town, Rising Fast, Might & Power & Makybe Diva. Many duel winners including Fields Of Omagh, Northerly & Sunline. Kingston Town won 3 in a row (1980 - 1982). The last 3yo to win was So You Think in 2009. Also a suitable race for older horses and those with success in previous Caulfield & Melbourne Cups due to the Weight for Age scale. Barriers are of little importance, although racing on the pace is an advantage.
Moonee Valley Night Racing: Horse racing is held at night from late September to April, launching with the Manikato Stakes race meeting.
How to get to Moonee Valley Racecourse:
By Car: Located about 7kms from the Melbourne CBD via Mt Alexander Rd, parking is available on course. Melways reference 29 A7.
By Train: The Craigieburn line train departs from Flinders Street station. Disembark at Moonee Ponds station. The course is a 10-minute walk down Puckle Street, across Moonee Ponds junction to Dean Street, and turn left into McPherson Street for main entrance.
By Tram: Terminals are located at the Moonee Ponds Junction (off Puckle St and Pascoe Vale, Mt Alexander and Ascot Vale Roads). Tram No. 59 from Elizabeth St arrives directly at the Junction terminal. From there it is a 200m walk to the Stand Turnstile entrance on McPherson St.
Moonee Valley Racecourse Feature Races, History, About the Track. Track Bias Barriers Guide, Moonee Valley Racecourse Map. How to get to Moonee Valley Racecourse. Bet on Moonee Valley Racing online by the website or mobile. Why bet with the TAB when you can open a Sportsbet account and get a free bet up to $250? Safe and secure online betting. Find out more about Melbourne’s Spring Racing Carnival including the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate & Melbourne Cup.
