The 2010 Cox Plate is the most anticipated weight-for-age race of the year, one of the major highlights of the annual Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival and is scheduled to light up the Moonee Valley Racecourse on Saturday October 23.

The headline event on Cox Plate Day, the $3million Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) is run as Race 5 on the card, attracts a quality final field of current and future turf stars every year and is accompanied by eight other races on the day.

Other feature Group races at the Moonee Valley meeting include the $200,000 Group 2 AAMI Vase (2040m), the $300,000 Group 2 Schweppes Stakes (1200m) and the $200,000 Group 2 Crystal Mile (1600m).

2010 Cox Plate Day Feature Races:

• Group 1 Tatts Cox Plate (2040m)
• Group 2 Schweppes Stakes (1200m)
• Group 2 AAMI Vase (2040m)
• Group 2 Crystal Mile (1600m)
• Group 2 Cathay Pacific Airways Cup (2500m)
• Group 3 1300 Australia Stakes (1200m)
• Group 3 Tesio Stakes (1600m)

The 2010 Cox Plate Second Declarations were taken last week and 49 weight-for-age gallopers are left vying for a spot in the Cox Plate field this year.

Already the online betting markets open at Sportsbet are getting plenty of action, with smart punters locking in the lucrative early odds open on their Cox Plate selections.

The 2009 Cox Plate champion So You Think is the raging favourite to win again this year paying $2.40 at Sportsbet after a sensational start to the spring including victory in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1300m) at Caulfield.

Two other Cox Plate hopefuls are at single figure odds to win with Gai Waterhouse’s glamour mare More Joyous paying $5.50 and weight-for-age warhorse Whobegotyou at $6.50.

Then, providing excellent value but still high up the Cox Plate betting, are Shoot Out ($10) and reigning Horse of the Year Typhoon Tracy ($17).

2010 Cox Plate Betting Odds

• So You Think ($2.40)
• More Joyous ($5.50)
• Whobegotyou ($6.50)
• Shoot Out ($10)
• Typhoon Tracy ($17)
• Metal Bender ($21)
• Shocking ($21)

For full markets and updated odds visit [sportsbet].

The 2010 Cox Plate third declarations will be taken on Tuesday October 5, further narrowing down the list of horses heading to the premier Moonee Valley feature race.

Following third declarations, the final field for the Cox Plate will be released on October 19 and published here along with the form of the acceptances, betting tips and updated odds so bookmark this page.

If you haven’t already, take a few minutes now to sign up with Australia’s best online bookie [sportsbet] to get the top Cox Plate odds and wagering options as well as a generous $300 free bet as a welcome gift!