The likely field for Saturday’s $6 million Cox Plate is down to 11 runners, with final acceptances to be taken at midday on Tuesday.
This year’s Group 1 weight-for-age feature will be run over 2040m at Flemington, with Moonee Valley undergoing redevelopment.
It shapes as one of the more open Cox Plates in recent years, following a run of victories by some of the world’s best racehorses.
Via Sistina won the past two editions, while Romantic Warrior and Anamoe claimed the previous two, with James McDonald riding all four winners.
McDonald will partner Aeliana for Chris Waller this year, while the champion trainer will also saddle up Birdman, who has Ben Melham booked.
Ciaron Maher is expected to have three runners, with Land Legend, Light Infantry Man and Middle Earth all included in the likely field.
Sir Delius will represent Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott with Craig Williams aboard, while Cosmic Crusader is expected to back up from Saturday’s Caulfield Cup with William Pike retaining the ride.
Three-year-olds Blind Raise and Warwoven are also set to take their places, with Jamie Melham and Rachel King booked respectively.
The latest likely field, as reported by Trent Masenhelder of Racing.com, features 11 runners, with jockeys now identified for every horse.
Final acceptances close at 12pm AEDT on Tuesday, October 20, before the official barrier draw takes place at 7pm that evening.
