This year’s Cox Plate is shaping as a nine-horse contest, with Godolphin deciding they will not line-up Caulfield Guineas third placegetter, Observer in the race.
Defending champion Via Sistina returns to chase back-to-back wins and headlines a three-pronged assault for Chris Waller, who is eyeing a sixth Cox Plate triumph. Waller’s team also features Aeliana and Buckaroo.
Four-time Cox Plate-winning jockey Hugh Bowman will jet in from Hong Kong to reunite with Aeliana, while Ben Melham takes the reins on last-start Might And Power Stakes hero Globe.
At least one three-year-old will take their place: Team Hawkes’ Nepotism, set to be ridden by Zac Lloyd.
Defending Champion Via Sistina heads the markets with online betting sites at $2.15 ahead of Queensland galloper Antino at $3.60 with Aeliana and Treasurethe Moment rounding out the horses in single figures.
| Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| AELIANA | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 55.5kg |
| ANTINO | Tony Gollan | Blake Shinn | 59kg |
| ATTRITION | Mitchell Freedman | TBD | 59kg |
| BUCKAROO | Chris Waller | Mark Zahra | 59kg |
| GLOBE | Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | Ben Melham | 59kg |
| LIGHT INFANTRY MAN | Ciaron Maher | Ethan Brown | 59kg |
| NEPOTISM | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Zac Lloyd | 49.5kg |
| TREASURETHE MOMENT | Matt Laurie | Damian Lane | 55.5kg |
| VIA SISTINA | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 57kg |
