The race towards the $6 million Cox Plate is heating up, with just 30 horses left in contention following the second acceptance stage on Tuesday. The list has been trimmed from the initial 107 nominations, with several notable withdrawals shaping the complexion of the spring’s weight-for-age championship.
Notably absent are recent Makybe Diva Stakes hero Mr Brightside and fellow Group 1 winners Another Wil, Ceolwulf and Feroce. International participation has also evaporated, with no northern hemisphere-trained contenders still standing. In contrast, six three-year-olds remain in the mix, including Nepotism, Vinrock, Wodeton, Rivellino, Within The Law and Autumn Boy.
Chris Waller maintains a formidable hand with 10 runners, among them Via Sistina, who heads early betting markets. At this point in 2024, 45 horses were still vying for a start, highlighting the sharper focus of this year’s contest. Underwood Stakes winner Sir Delius continues on a Cox Plate path but has been withdrawn from the Caulfield Cup, which itself has been reduced to 49 contenders.
Defending Melbourne Cup champion Knight’s Choice, Okita Soushi and Q22 winner Kovalica are also absent from Caulfield Cup calculations. Meanwhile, international hopes now rest with Willie Mullins’ Absurde, Japan’s Golden Snap, Meydaan from Simon and Ed Crisford, and Alessandro Botti’s Presage Nocturne.
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