Cox Plate 2024 has shaped up to be one of the most anticipated events of the year with 9 runners competing to take out one of the world’s best races. Will Mr Brightside go one better this year at each-way odds? Will Pride Of Jenni lead all of the way? Or will a horse with just 49.5kg in weight on its back win, with Broadsiding and Evaporate continuing to impress. These are just some of the questions that will be answered!
2024 Cox Plate Preview & Tips
(1) Mr Brightside (2) Trainers: Team Hayes. Jockey: C. Williams.
Mr B has drawn well in barrier 2 and despite losing his last couple (2nds) after being well supported, he is sure to have his admirers, especially with the each-way market. The pundits are still deliberating whether he can run a strong 2000m after he couldn’t catch runaway leader Deny Knowledge in the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes last start. Before that he was 2nd when chasing Jenni in the Feehan and he won the Group 1 Makybe Diva and the Group 1 Memsie. To win, I think he will need a bit of rain on the Friday night or on race morning. 8-1.
(2) Prognosis (5) Trainer: M. Nakauchida. Jockey: D. Lane.
This horse has been talked about the most this week and is the favourite. He was runner-up at Shatin in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth on April 28 and 4th when $1.30fav in the Group 2 Sapporo at Sapo Raceway. Apparently, he is a beautiful looking animal after hearing reports at trackwork on Tuesday morning at The Valley and after two month spell he is cherry ripe. He likes racing when fresh and has won on seven occasions when first up. $3.10.
(3) Kovalica (9) Trainer: C. Waller. Jockey: M.Zahra.
Has drawn the widest here and is obviously going to need a lot of luck. A Dry track would suit and from the draw he is going to have to get back and would appreciate a fast run race. He made up a lot of late ground in the Group 2 Hill Stakes at Randwick last start which was encouraging. 34-1.
(4) Royal Patronage (3) Trainers: G. Waterhouse & A. Bott. Jockey: T. Clark.
Has been pretty consistent of late and despite the odds, you wouldn’t put it past the stable of causing an upset. The French born import has a good association with his jockey Tim Clark and being an on-pace runner and getting a good barrier in 3, he might just settle behind the leader which is predicted to be Pride Of Jenni. He has led his last couple and has only been collared late. 34-1.
(5) Docklands (1) Trainer: Harry Eustace. Jockey: B. Shinn.
A lightly raced five-year-old who comes over from England on the back of a disappointing run in the Group 1 Juddmonte but before that he was runner-up in the Group 1 Queen Anne where he was excellent. He is second up here and has a first and a second to his name when second up previously. Has drawn the rails and will obviously stick to the inside throughout and look for a late split. 20-1.
(6) Pride Of Jenni (7) Trainer: C. Maher. Jockey: D. Bates.
Probably the most popular runner in the race due to her big heart and racing style, she is sure to attract a lot of recreational bets. She was excellent last week in the Group 1 King Charles at Randwick after Major Beel made her work a little more than usual early, and arguably would have won the race if that didn’t occur. Before that she won the Group 2 Feehan at The Valley in front of a large, loud crowd which she will get again in this race. A Good or a Soft track would be ideal for her and that is likely what she will get here and from barrier 7 she will come over and lead. She is ready for the 2000m now but can she hold on when her rivals start attacking her from the 600m? $4.20-1.
(7) Via Sistina (4). Trainer: C. Waller. Jockey: J. McDonald.
Was the News horse on Tuesday at The Valley after she did a couple of extra laps after dumping her jockey James Mc Donald. Group 1 Turnbull Stakes Winner at Flemington three weeks ago from a wide barrier in 12 and she probably needed that win to have a big chance in the Plate. On August 24 she won at Randwick in the Group 1 Winx Stakes and from barrier 4, JMac will likely position her up midfield. First race at The Valley but she had an extra good look at it on Tuesday. Winner of 8 from 18. Good chance. $5.50-1.
(8) Broadsiding (8) Trainer: James Cummings. Jockey: J. Kah.
Winner of 5 from 9 and despite being losing favourite last start in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (4th), he comes into this with a real chance of making it another win for the three-year-olds. He may have gotten too far back at Caulfield last start on a leader biased track but the run was still pretty good considering. Before that he got up by a head in the Group 1 Golden Rose. He might sit slightly off midfield and will hook out at the 600m. $6.50.
(9) Evaporate (6) Trainers: Team Hayes. Jockey: K. Teetan.
Versatile galloper who continues to impress and has already won before at The Valley on three occasions. The win in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes was excellent after he came from midfield. He hasn’t been drawing well in his races so barrier 6 would be pleasing to connections. The tricky thing with this horse is where he ends up in the run. He can settle 2nd or 3rd, can sit midfield or he might be one who takes off from
(7) Via Sistina Each-Way
$5.50/$1.85 (2 Units)
