2026 Ladbrokes Cox Plate Preview

 

A great edition of the race - there's no superstar like Winx or Via Sistina but there is plenty of depth. It will be a little different this year, being run at Flemington rather than Moonee (The) Valley which is currently being rebuilt. Could this be like Saintly in a four-way tussle in 1996 or even Super Impose in 1992 (probably the best Cox Plate of all time) . If it's close to either of those races, we are in for a treat!

COX PLATE

2040m, Group 1 Weight-for-Age
Of AU$6.09m
1710 local, 0710 BST
for formguides and replays, try Racing.com and Racenet


1. Ceolwulf - Sydney star who looks ideally suited here. Won the Champions Mile here last spring and the G2 Neville Sellwood Stakes over 2000m in April 2025. Rarely runs over this trip which is unusual considering his breeding. Ran second in ATC Derby in 2024. Runs this campaign have been solid without winning, including two placings behind Autumn Glow and second in the G1 Epsom Handicap conceding a stack of weight to the winner. Jockey is hot after winning the Everest last week.

2. Light Infantry Man - 8yo with an exceptional record at the course & distance, winning two Australian Cups in a row and was second in the Turnbull three weeks ago splitting Cosmic Crusader and Aeliana, each time leading or racing forward. His one failure over C&D was in the Champions Stakes last year on a Heavy 9 after missing the start. Probably sits just behind Land Legend if they let him go again. Do not rule out, genuine wipeout hope.

3. Sir Delius - Has been aimed at this all season and arrives primed third-up where he has a 100% record (3 from 3). Inflicted the first defeat of her career on Autumn Glow back in April when he was third-up and last spring beat Via Sistina, twice winner of this race, in the Turnbull, also third-up. Was a little fresh when resuming in the Makybe Diva and was bogged down a little in this year's Turnbull on a Heavy 8, both times running fourth. It is highly unusual for a horse to win this race without having been placed in the same campaign. Is a class act though and should get the perfect sit from gate five.

4. Attrition - Ran fourth in last year's smaller field but hadn't done a lot since until his latest two runs, third in the Underwood at Caulfield, then winning the Hill Stakes in Sydney. One of the lowest rated in the field but gets the perfect run from 4. Would need an eventful race to affect a lot of his rivals for him to win.

5. Cosmic Crusader - Seemingly overlooked this week after finishing fourth in the Caulfield Cup. This race was always in consideration for him so don't let the quick backup scare you. Impressive in the Turnbull with the ideal run but drew wide last week, raced wide all the way at his first time at the 2400m. Heavy track, had to work early from wide gate, inconsistent pace (fast early, slow mid race before Soul of Spain and Green Spaces went for it at the 1000) then battled on well to be beaten only 1.4L. Should get a much nicer run from barrier eight, with the early pace coming from outside, rather than inside, him. Big chance.

6. Birdman - Third in the Might & Power behind Land Legend, in a shock result, and Sheza Alibi, (and one place ahead of Kingswood). That was a funny race - small field, unusual pace with a tearaway leader, standard leader bias at Caulfield and most notably, while it was a Group 1, it was not the target race for him or the runner-up. This is Birdman's target and he is right in it. His Underwood win the start before was strong, he won the G1 Doomben Cup back in May, overcoming the mad pace of Pride of Jenni. Gate 1 not ideal but it's not that big a deal at Flemington when the field will stretch out. Has been a much better horse in the past 12 months, finally settling into Australia. Definite chance.

7. Land Legend - Started 60/1 when causing a major boil over in the G1 Might And Power a fortnight ago. As mentioned above, he found the perfect storm to shock everyone that day and is unlikely to get away with that again, certainly in the biggest race of the spring! Will set a solid pace though and ensure every runners gets their chance.

8. Middle Earth - Should not be in the field. Hasn't gotten with 5L of the winner in four starts this campaign. Ran third in the JRA Cup this weekend last year, and plodding handicaps over further are where he should stay. Have some balls MVRC, this race is supposed to be 'elite'.

9. Saint George - Not convinced this one should be in the race either, but at least he ran a strong second in the Caulfield Cup last weekend. Massive rise in class to elite WFA, goes up 5.5kg and has never won a Listed race, let alone a Group 1. You work it out.

10. Aeliana - Classy mare who was desperately unlucky in last year's edition at the Valley. Got caught behind a tiring Light Infantry Man on the turn after sneaking up the rail and couldn't get out. No luck up the straight either. Hugh Bowman would have been burnt at the stake had he pushed out early and interfered with stablemate and red-hot favourite Via Sistina. Critics will say she's better in the wet. I say perhaps, but most of her target races have been in Sydney. Won the ATC Derby on a Good 4 as a 3yo and could have won this last year on a similar surface. Only third in the Turnbull on a Heavy track but worked him well and this has been her target all season. J-Mac aboard Waller horses fourth up in Group 1s is a rather profitable system, courtesy of Racing and Sports weekly podcast. Big chance.

11. Warwoven - Convincing winner of the Caulfield Guineas after taking the Golden Rose the start before. He's a high-class colt taking all before him and claiming this race would make another healthy boost to his stallion value. He jumps and settles close to the pace, giving himself every chance. No 3yo has won the Guineas-Cox Plate double since Red Anchor in 1984, but how many have actually tried? First time at 2000m but no concern about running it out. Right in this.

12. Blind Raise - Second to Warwoven in the Guineas after being taken on early. Bred to be a stayer so the extra 440m should only help his chances if able to settle. He won't need to set the pace here, can just slide across and tuck in behind the leaders should they crank up the tempo. Solid chance at double-figure odds.

Another stat for the protectionist muppets wanting to protect the Arc de Triomphe from the evils of horses who can't breed - just one gelding has won this race in the last 17 editions. That was the Hong Kong champion Romantic Warrior. It hasn't harmed the breed at all. It's a tad rich for a breeding empire who ruin Derby winners by running them as pacemakers a year later to claim the sky will fall in if geldings are allowed to contest a race that few want to breed from the winners anyway. Rant over.

SUMMARY

I'm struggling to work out which way to go here. Land Legend and Light Infantry Man should slide to the front from the outside gates. Warwoven and Attrition will push up but may let Blind Raise and Aeliana park in front of them if the leaders stretch it out. Sir Delius and Cosmic Crusader to be next pair, leaving Birdman and Ceolwulf ahead of the two plodding stayers. The mare gets my top vote (again) with Cosmic Crusader pressing her hard, Warwoven and Ceolwulf close behind.

Aeliana
Cosmic Crusader
Warwoven
Ceolwulf