Three of the glamour mares of the Australian turf, last season’s Golden Slipper winner and a racing blue blood are dominant figures in the first Cox Plate betting market.
Unbeaten Atlantic Jewel has been installed as the clear favourite over two other mares for this year’s weight-for-age contest following the release of nominations.
The dual Group One winner went up at $4.50 in TAB Sportsbet’s market on Friday ahead of Sydney star More Joyous at $7 and Mosheen at $8.
Mosheen shares the third line of betting with last season’s Golden Slipper hero Pierro.
Black Caviar’s half-brother All Too Hard rounds out the top five in the early market at $10.
Cox Plate nominations were taken on Tuesday with 155 horses in contention for the $3 million Group One at Moonee Valley on October 27.
Nominations also closed for the Caulfield Cup with the Lloyd Williams-owned Green Moon installed favourite ahead of Doomben Cup winner Mawingo.
The 2011 Melbourne Cup runner-up Red Cadeaux, Mosheen and last year’s favourite December Draw who was injured during the race, are all at $21.
“Green Moon, who finished second last year, should be better this time around and has opened favourite at $14,” TAB Sportsbet’s Matt Jenkins said.
Last year’s Caulfield Cup winner Southern Speed, who resumes in the Spring Stakes in Adelaide on Saturday, is at $26.
