The 2020 Ladbrokes Cox Plate nominations, taken on Tuesday, attracted 182 early entries for the Australasian weight-for-age championship including 28 international hopefuls and the reigning Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare.

Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare is among the 182 nominations for the 2020 Ladbrokes Cox Plate. Photo Credit: Steve Hart.

The Moonee Valley Racing Club’s showcase event, the Group 1 $5.25 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) runs at The Valley on Saturday October 24 with the date marking the 100^th edition of the classic.

Among the 2020 Ladbrokes Cox Plate Nominations are:

• 28 International Entries
• 22 for Ireland’s Aidan O’Brien
• 18 for four-time Cox Plate winning trainer Chris Waller
• 51 Group 1 winners
• 42 Southern Hemisphere three-year-olds
• 14 Northern Hemisphere three-year-olds
• 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare (Danny O’Brien)
• 8 Cox Plate 2019 contenders led by Magic Wand (4^th)

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic throwing international participation in the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival in doubt, there was a strong presence of raiders with 28 nominated for the Cox Plate in 2020.

Twenty-two of those international Cox Plate nominations hail from the O’Brien family in Ireland including 13 for the event’s 2014 winning trainer Aidan O’Brien including Magic Wand who ran fourth in the event last year before a Melbourne Cup 10^th and Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes win at Flemington.

“The Ladbrokes Cox Plate is one of the most coveted prizes in Australian sport and winning the 100th edition of our iconic weight-for-age championship in such unique circumstances will ensure this year’s winner is long remembered,” Racing Victoria (RV) Executive General Manager – Racing, Greg Carpenter, said.

“There is incredible diversity in the list of entries which pleasingly represents all states of Australia and lots of star power, so the foundation is there for a race befitting such an historic occasion.

“The quality of international entries remains strong despite the current COVID-19 restrictions and the next month will ultimately determine whether these internationals horses can compete in the 100th Cox Plate.”

Magic Wand is one of eight horses that contested the 2019 Cox Plate and that are nominated for another shot in 2020 along with: Mystic Journey (5th), Kings Will Dream (6th), Harlem (8th), Cape of Good Hope (10th), Homesman (11th), Verry Elleegant (12th) and Danceteria (14th).

Post-nomination Cox Plate betting at race sponsor Ladbrokes.com.au lists the Hawkes Racing-trained Master Of Wine ($10) followed by Danny O’Brien’s SA Derby winner Russian Camelot ($11).

Stablemate Vow And Declare, winner of last year’s Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), is installed at $26 while the eye-catching Melbourne Cup fifth placed Surprise Baby from 2019 is at $15.

There are an individual 51 Group 1 winners among the entries including also boom Queenslander Alligator Blood, in the news recently after being stripped of his Magic Millions 3YO Guineas title due to a positive swab.

The inaugural two winners of Flemington’s $5 million The All-Star Mile are in the mix with Mystic Journey from Tasmania and Western Australian champ Regal Roller, while Sydney’s premier trainer Chris Waller chases a fifth Cox Plate success with 18 entries.

Waller won the Cox Plate a record four times on the trot with the brilliant Winx (2015-18) and is back with a strong hand in 2020 that includes Australasian Oaks winner Toffee Tongue, multiple Group 1 winning mare Verry Elleegant, the highly-fancied Funstar and recent stable acquisition Humidor.

Formerly prepared by Darren Weir and later by Ciaron Maher & David Eustace, the imported Humidor is a dual Cox Plate placegetter having run second in 2017 and third in 2018 behind the mighty Winx.

“Despite all the challenges that have been presented so far, today 182 dreams are alive to take out the legendary 2020 Ladbrokes Cox Plate in a year we are celebrating a significant milestone with the 100th running of our great race,” Michael Browell, the Moonee Valley Racing Club’s Chief Executive, said.

“The Club is pleased to see internationals declaring their interest to compete in the Ladbrokes Cox Plate, but they will face strong competition from many stables across Australia and New Zealand determined to see their horse’s name on the honour roll of legends.

“We look forward to the build-up and excitement around the Ladbrokes Cox Plate on October 24 when we will crown the next legend of The Valley.”

First acceptances for the Ladbrokes Cox Plate 2020 close at 12 noon (local Melbourne time) on Tuesday, September 8.

Click here for the latest all-in 2020 Cox Plate betting odds courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au.

2020 Cox Plate Nominations

   Table Credit: Racing Australia.