Mystic Journey plus 101 other hopefuls remain in the mix for a shot at The Valley’s $5 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate next month following first acceptances for Australasia’s weight-for-age championship.

The 102 Cox Plate first acceptances cut the list of potential runners in the 2040m classic on October 26 down from 187 at nomination stage and is up more than 60% on last year’s first declarations.

Mystic Journey is one of 102 Ladbrokes Cox Plate 2019 first acceptances. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

Without four-time Cox Plate champion Winx in the mix, it is a far more open affair for this year’s edition of the ‘race where champions are made’ – which marks the 99^th anniversary of the Cox Plate.

Among the official 2019 Cox Plate first acceptances are 36 Group 1 winners including the early favourite at race sponsor Ladbrokes.com.au, Mystic Journey.

The brilliant mare hunts for win number eight on the trot at Flemington this Saturday in the Group 1 $750,000 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m), victory in which will see her current all-in Cox Plate odds firm further.

Occupying the second line of post-first acceptance Cox Plate betting is Japanese raider Lys Gracieux, while Godolphin’s great galloper Avilius is still in the top three despite back-to-back losses this campaign.

Heart’s Cry mare Lys Graciux is unraced down under, but her recent form this year has been outstanding including a three length Group 1 success over 2200m at Hanshin.

She is one of 17 internationally-trained Cox Plate first acceptances, the list of overseas raiders targeting the event up from nine in 2018.

Other standout internationals include fellow Japanese-trained Kluger and David Menuisier’s Group 1 winner in Germany last time out Danceteria who have accepted the Moonee Valley Racing Club’s invitations to run in the classic.

Following his 2014 success with the then Irish-trained Adelaide, legendary horseman Aidan O’Brien returns in 2019 with seven remaining chances including his English Derby champion Anthony Van Dyck and two-time elite level winner Circus Maximus.

Record holding Melbourne Cup winning owner Lloyd Williams has a bumper Cox Plate crop in 2019 including four prepared by O’Brien’s son Joseph, along with Yucatan and last weekend’s Group 2 Ladbrokes Feehan Stakes champ Homesman.

Other standouts include Memsie Stakes winner Scales Of Justice, Lindsay Park’s dual Australian Cup champ Harlem, Godolphin’s evergreen nine-year-old Hartnell, two-time placegetter in previous Cox Plate results Humidor and current Epsom favourite from NZ Te Akau Shark.

Te Akau Sharks could also be joined by stablemate Melody Belle, Jamie Richards’ bonny Commands mare a seven-time Group 1 winner across the Tasman.

Trainer Chris Waller has withdrawn his recent stable acquisitions from WA Enticing Star and Arcadia Queen, both set to run in the $14 million The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 19.

Waller could still have a hope of retaining the Cox Plate trophy post-Winx with 16 remaining entries including last year’s Melbourne Cup fourth placegetter Finche along with his smart filly Flit.

Flit is one of 19 three-year-olds still featuring in the Cox Plate entries along with the likes of Champagne Stakes winner Castelvecchio and the JJ Atkins winner Prince Fawaz.

The 2019 Ladbrokes Cox Plate second acceptances are open until midday, September 24.

Click here for the latest Cox Plate 2019 all-in odds at Ladbrokes.com.au.

2019 Ladbrokes Cox Plate First Acceptances