Ladbrokes Cox Plate

The $5 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate at The Valley in October is a key feature of the spring carnival. The weight-for-age Group 1 classic draws an international field of stars and was won four times on the trot by champion mare Winx (2015-18).

2023 Cox Plate Results

  • 1st: #1 Romantic Warrior
  • 2nd: #3 Mr Brightside
  • 3rd: #4 Alligator Blood
  • 4th: #9 Duais



The Ladbrokes Cox Plate is the premier weight-for-age race in Australia and is known as Australasia’s weight-for-age championship. This Group 1 race is run over 2040m on turf at Moonee Valley Racecourse in late October each year and is held as part of the illustrious Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.

Worth over $5 million, the race attracts the champion gallopers from across the globe competing for the richest weight-for-age prize in Australia and is the second of the three Spring Majors following the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) the Saturday before.

The Cox Plate is often referred to as “the race where legends are made” and has been won by many turf greats over the years including So You Think (2009-10) and historic four-time champion Winx (2015-18) who were the last multiple Cox Plate winners. Winx joined Kingston Town (1980-82) as the only three-time Cox Plate champion with her narrow victory over Humidor in the 2017 Cox Plate results, which also saw the heroic mare set a race record time set by herself in 2015. She then surpassed Kingston Town with her fourth Cox Plate trophy in 2018 before her retirement.

In 2014 the then Aidan O’Brien-trained Adelaide became the first Northern Hemisphere-trained Cox Plate winner and since then the number of international Cox Plate nominations continues to rise. The 2019 Cox Plate results saw Lys Gracieux from Japan join Adelaide as the only Cox Plate winners trained outside of Australia / New Zealand.

In 2020 Irish expat Sir Dragonet won the Cox Plate first-up down under in his debut for Ciaron Maher & David Eustace.

In 2021 Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien prepared Northern Hemisphere-trained three-year-old State Of Rest for a Cox Plate victory emulating the success of his father from 2014.

In 2022 Anamoe atoned for his devastatingly close second the year before to post a dominant victory for the punters in the Cox Plate results.

The punters were in luck in the 2023 Cox Plate results that saw Hong Kong hero Romantic Warrior narrowly defeat Mr Brightside in an epic finish to the 103rd running of the classic.

The 2023 Ladbrokes Cox Plate ran on Saturday October 28, 2023 as the second of the ‘Big 3’ Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival majors and was won in a photo-finish thriller by Danny Shum’s Hong Kong superstar Romantic Warrior ($3.60F) who narrowly denied Mr Brightside right on the line with Alligator Blood a close third. 

Ladbrokes Cox Plate
Date: Saturday October 28, 2023
Track: Moonee Valley Racecourse
Distance: 2040m
Status: Group 1
Conditions: Weight-For-Age
Prize Money: $5 million
Age: 3 year olds and over

The WS Cox Plate is one of the most highly bet on and anticipated races in the country. Cox Plate betting is also popular with the punters as it is included in some of the major betting doubles in the Spring Carnival.

Punters often indulge in the Cox Plate – Melbourne Cup double, but only six horses have won achieved the feat with Makybe Diva, Might and Power, Saintly, Nightmarch, Phar Lap and Rising Fast. Rising Fast is an especially notable winner as he is the only horse in history to also have won the Caulfield Cup in the same year, taking out this feature treble in 1954.

The race’s position towards the end of the Spring Carnival means punters have a plethora of trials and lead-up runs to consider the entries’ Cox Plate form and chances of success in the Cox Plate.

There are a range of different events the final Cox Plate field may come via, including three-years-old hopefuls coming out of the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) a fortnight before. Earlier races to watch as an indication for the Cox Plate include the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) in September, the Group 2 John F. Feehan Stakes (1600m) and the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m).

A change of scheduling for the Melbourne Cup Carnival from 2016 saw the race formerly known as the Mackinnon Stakes and run on Victoria Derby Day moved to the first Saturday of November and raced as the new Group 1 Emirates Stakes (2000m) in a bid to attract more Cox Plate graduates. That race has now been moved to the last day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival taking place on the Saturday after the Melbourne Cup and is run as the Champions Stakes.

Randwick Racecourse in Sydney hosts the $10 million The Golden Eagle (1500m), $3 million Giga Kick Stakes (1300m) and the $750,000 Rosehill Gold Cup (2000m) on the same date as Melbourne’s Cox Plate Day.

2023 Cox Plate Results

  • 1st: #1 Romantic Warrior ($3.60F)
  • 2nd: #3 Mr Brightside
  • 3rd: #4 Alligator Blood
  • 4th: #9 Duais

It was a Ladbrokes Cox Plate 2023 result for the ages with jockey James McDonald going back-to-back after his success on Anamoe last spring when narrowly getting up on the outside aboard the Danny Shum-trained Hong Kong raider Romantic Warrior ($3.60F). Denied by a nose was the Team Hayes-trained Mr Brightside, while Alligator Blood snared third after looking the winner inside the final 50m.

Click here to read more on the exciting 2023 Ladbrokes Cox Plate win by Romantic Warrior.

Finish No. Horse Trainer Jockey Margin Bar. Weight Penalty Starting Price
1 1 ROMANTIC WARRIOR (IRE) Danny Shum James McDonald 7 59kg $3.60F
2 3 MR BRIGHTSIDE (NZ) Ben, Will & JD Hayes Craig Williams 0.1L 2 59kg $9
3 4 ALLIGATOR BLOOD Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 0.3L 5 59kg $6
4 9 DUAIS Edward Cummings Damien Oliver 1.3L 1 57kg $31
5 5 GOLD TRIP (FR) Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Mark Zahra 1.4L 8 59kg $7.50
6 2 ZAAKI (GB) Annabel Neasham Damian Lane 1.5L 12 59kg $21
7 8 FANGIRL Chris Waller Zac Purton 1.6L 9 57kg $6.50
8 11 MILITARIZE (NZ) Chris Waller Zac Lloyd (a) 2.35L 3 49.5kg $8.50
9 10 VICTORIA ROAD (IRE) Aidan O’Brien Blake Shinn 5.35L 6 56.5kg $17
10 6 MY OBERON (IRE) Annabel Neasham Jamie Mott 7.1L 4 59kg $61
11 7 PINSTRIPED Enver Jusufovic Ben Allen 7.4L 11 59kg $101
12 12 KING COLORADO Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Michael Dee 10.15L 10 49.5kg (cd 50kg) $26

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

2023 Ladbrokes Cox Plate Betting

CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST 2023 COX PLATE ODDS (Final Field)

Futures Cox Plate betting odds open months in advance of the race offering all-in markets on the potential horses lining-up in that year’s Cox Plate field. Cox Plate betting is often dominated by horses that ran well in the previous season’s Cox Plate results.

Our Cox Plate betting page has more information on the many types of bets you can place, including advice on placing a Cox Plate trifecta, a Cox Plate quinella, a Cox Plate exacta, or a Cox Plate First Four bet. We also suggest the best online bookmakers to join for Cox Plate betting.

The latest Cox Plate 2023 betting markets provided by Ladbrokes.com.au are listed below for your to back your Cox Plate tips at the right price.

Anamoe ($2.40 in 2022) and Hong Kong raider Romantic Warrior ($3.60 in 2023) – both ridden by jockey James McDonald – are the latest favourites in Cox Plate betting to win.

Cox Plate Tips

Our exclusive Ladbrokes Cox Plate betting tips will be provided below a few days out from the Group 1 classic. Also head to our dedicated Cox Plate Tips page for more information on who to back and who to sack in the weight-for-age Moonee Valley feature this spring.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR FULL 2023 COX PLATE TIPS & BEST BETS

To Win: #1 Romantic Warrior ($4 at time of publish) – BET NOW

Fantastic edition of the Cox Plate and we’ve got one of the more open affairs in recent years, but it is hard to go past this Hong Kong-trained favourite. The Sha Tin superstar will relish the 2040m second-up with a run down under now under his belt. His record at this distance is outstanding (7:5-1-0) and includes two Queen Elizabeth II Cup victories. Was a slashing fourth fresh in the Turnbull over the distance at Flemington making up late ground behind Gold Trip. James McDonald retains the ride and a decent barrier seven draw. Plenty to like and plenty to suggest he can salute for the punters. Easing slightly adding to his appeal. Lots of hype on the triple Group 1 winner but expect him to live up to expectations here so long as he is in for the fight.

The Danger: #4 Alligator Blood ($5.50 at time of publish) – BET NOW

He is slightly shorter than would like but this Waterhouse/Bott-trained galloper is going great guns and peaking at exactly the right time to prove he is right up to a Cox Plate. Back-to-back Group 1 victories over very good fields by impressive margins in the lead-up. Won the Underwood over 1800m then silenced the naysayers with his barnstorming performance over 2000m at Caulfield to salute in the Might And Power by two lengths. Tim Clark rode him to perfection there and retains the mount for the acid test. The Valley hasn’t been this horse’s preferred track but he has run well in his two previous starts here. Fifth only two lengths beaten at 20/1 behind Anamoe in last year’s race from wide out in gate 12 and fourth, again narrowly beaten, a length behind Mr Brightside in the autumn. Going the best he ever has, was first to draw with the ideal gate five start, likely to be up on speed, and with only a short straight to sustain a run he could just do it!

Each Way: #5 Gold Trip ($8.50 at time of publish) – BET NOW

If Gold Trip wins this he’ll go down as one of the best, ever, and really live up to that huge purchase price. The Maher/Eustace import is on the same trajectory as last spring when he won the Melbourne Cup after a Caulfield Cup second and Cox Plate ninth. It takes a pretty great horse to run in three majors in as many weeks and he’s doing it again here. Third in the Caulfield Cup last week by the six-year-old stallion was excellent. Forgivable Cox Plate performance last year and drawn well mid-field 12 months on. Mark Zahra is going as good as the horse and Turnbull Stakes victory two back was exceptional at this distance. Blinkers on. Watch him late.

Best Roughie: #8 Fangirl ($8.50 at time of publish) – BET NOW

Does Waller win his fifth Cox Plate here? He famously prepared four-time hero Winx (2015-18) and is after more glory. Fangirl is a very nice mare. She is a multiple Group 1 winner and was outstanding in Sydney last start dominating the beaten favourite Mr Brightside by nearly three lengths in the Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m). The five-year-old daughter of Sebring is yet to win over further than 1850m but her margin last time out suggests she’ll get the trip. Sydney has always been her go to. How will she be the left-handed way at the notoriously tight Moonee Valley circuit? These are a couple of the questions she must answer in her hunt for greatness. One of the best in Zac Purton riding is another plus and she rates well. She is no Winx but she might just be a Cox Plate winner come Saturday afternoon.

2023 Cox Plate Form Guide

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2023 COX PLATE FORM GUIDE

CLICK HERE FOR OUR TWO WORD COX PLATE 2023 FORM GUIDE

One of the best and cheapest tools you can use to improve your betting is a detailed Cox Plate form guide like you would find at an online bookie. Our page on the Cox Plate form guide will help anyone new to punting better understand how to read a form guide.

Key 2023 Cox Plate Dates

  • 2023 Cox Plate Nominations: Closed on Tuesday the 8th of August, 2023 – 178 early entries taken.
  • 2023 Cox Plate First Acceptances: Closed on Tuesday the 12th of September, 2023 – 100 first acceptors.
  • 2023 Cox Plate Second Acceptances: Closed on Tuesday the 26th of September, 2023 – 55 second acceptors.
  • 2023 Cox Plate Third Acceptances: Closed on Tuesday the 10th of October, 2023 – 31 third acceptors.
  • 2023 Cox Plate Final Acceptances: Closed on Tuesday the 24th of October, 2023 at 8:30am (AEDT) – 12 final acceptors with Romantic Warrior from Hong Kong favourite.

2023 Ladbrokes Cox Plate Field

The Cox Plate field represents the best weight-for-age hopefuls from around Australia and aboard. The official 2023 Cox Plate field will be released by the Moonee Valley Racing Club (MVRC) on Tuesday October 24, 2023 following a number of declaration stages of early acceptances.

The 2023 Ladbrokes Cox Plate final field is now out with a dozen of the world’s best weight-for-age horses engaged in an open and intriguing edition of the classic including Hong Kong champion Romantic Warrior, impressive Might And Power winner Alligator Blood, Irish raider Victoria Road, and reigning Melbourne Cup hero Gold Trip.

Click here to read more on the key contenders in the Cox Plate 2023 field and betting markets.

No Last 10 Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Probable Weight Penalty Hcp Rating
1 x1122x12x4 ROMANTIC WARRIOR (IRE) Danny Shum James McDonald 7 59kg 124
2 341x217x32 ZAAKI (GB) Annabel Neasham Damian Lane 12 59kg 118
3 x5211x1112 MR BRIGHTSIDE (NZ) Ben, Will & JD Hayes Craig Williams 2 59kg 119
4 1x140x4211 ALLIGATOR BLOOD Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 5 59kg 119
5 1x2570x413 GOLD TRIP (FR) Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Mark Zahra 8 59kg 121
6 x6026x6473 MY OBERON (IRE) Annabel Neasham Jamie Mott 4 59kg 115
7 534113×215 PINSTRIPED Enver Jusufovic Ben Allen 11 59kg 113
8 2x3227x131 FANGIRL Chris Waller Zac Purton 9 57kg 116
9 80x43x7933 DUAIS Edward Cummings Damien Oliver 1 57kg 112
10 2241111×73 VICTORIA ROAD (IRE) Aidan O’Brien Blake Shinn 6 56.5kg 115
11 13011×515 MILITARIZE (NZ) Chris Waller Zac Lloyd (a) 3 49.5kg 117
12 411×974 KING COLORADO Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Michael Dee 10 49.5kg 112

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

2023 Ladbrokes Cox Plate Prize Money

In total the 2023 Cox Plate will have prize money and trophies valued at around $5 million with the Cox Plate winner taking home an incredible $3 million!

  • 1st – $3,000,000
  • 2nd – $750,000
  • 3rd – $375,000
  • 4th – $250,000
  • 5th – $200,000
  • 6th – $100,000
  • 7th – $100,000
  • 8th – $75,000
  • 9th – $75,000
  • 10th – $75,000

Cox Plate Odds

To get the best odds on the race, you will need to know a little about how the Cox Plate odds are decided. Our Cox Plate odds page gives you the information you need to pick favourites at long prices in the early odds, and it will feature the full Cox Plate odds.

2023 Ladbrokes Cox Plate Third Acceptances

The 2023 Cox Plate third acceptances will be published below once confirmed closer to Cox Plate Day.

The 2023 Ladbrokes Cox Plate third acceptances closed on Tuesday October 10 attracting 31 weight-for-age hopefuls including Amelia’s Jewel who is two-from-two in Melbourne this prep and Hong Kong galloper Romantic Warrior out to improve on a fourth first-up down under to Gold Trip in the Turnbull Stakes. Melbourne Cup hero Gold Trip who scored the upset in the Turnbull Stakes along with the airborne Mr Brightside from the Hayes’ stable are among the other standout Cox Plate third acceptors.

2023 Ladbrokes Cox Plate Second Acceptances

The 2023 Cox Plate second acceptances will be finalised below as soon as released by the Melbourne Racing Club.

The Ladbrokes Cox Plate 2023 second acceptances attracted 55 entries with Hong Kong’s Romantic Warrior heading the latest all-in markets followed by star WA mare Amelia’s Jewel and the form horse of the spring down under Mr Brightside going from strength-to-strength.

Click here to view the full 2023 Cox Plate second acceptances.

2023 Ladbrokes Cox Plate First Acceptances

Cox Plate 2023 first acceptances close on Tuesday September 5, 2023 and will be published right here.

The 2023 Ladbrokes Cox Plate first acceptances are now out with 100 hopefuls still in the mix led in all-in betting by Hong Kong Cup champion Romantic Warrior, the form horse of the season so far Mr Brightside for Team Hayes, and Anthony & Sam Freedman’s The Q22 winner in Brisbane over the winter Without A Fight.

2023 Ladbrokes Cox Plate Nominations

Cox Plate 2023 nominations closed on Tuesday August 8, 2023. 

The 2023 Ladbrokes Cox Plate nominations are now out featuring 178 weight-for-age hopefuls led in all-in betting by the likes of the Danny Shum-trained Hong Kong Derby winner Romantic Warrior, Aidan O’Brien’s current four-time Group 1 winning Irish raider Paddington who has won seven of his eight starts at time of publish, and the Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained The Q22 winning import Without A Fight.

Click here to view the full Ladbrokes Cox Plate 2023 nominations.

Previous Cox Plate Results

Looking at previous Cox Plate results can be helpful, given the number of horses who contest the race on multiple occasions. We have a Cox Plate winners page and a Cox Plate results page for your perusal. This could help you in your betting picks or simply to settle arguments at the pub.

Free Bets on Cox Plate

If you aren’t already betting online, you’re missing out on fantastic free Cox Plate bets. Online betting sites offer new members incredible bonus bets that can be used to place massive wagers on the Cox Plate. Check out our favourite bookies like Ladbrokes.com.au and bookmaker.com.au for their free bet offers on the Cox Plate.

Cox Plate Winners

Recent Cox Plate winners and place-getters dating back to the year 2000 are detailed in the below table.

YEAR WINNER 2ND 3RD TIME
2023 Romantic Warrior Mr Brightside Alligator Blood 2:03:16
2022 Anamoe I’m Thunderstruck El Bodegon 2:10.17
2021 State Of Rest Anamoe Verry Elleegant 2:06.9
2020 Sir Dragonet Armory Russian Camelot 2:08.4
2019 Lys Gracieux Castelvecchio Te Akau Shark 2:04.2
2018 Winx Benbatl Humidor 2:03.4
2017 Winx Humidor Folkswood 2:02.9
2016 Winx Hartnell Yankee Rose 2:06.35
2015 Winx Criterion Highland Reel 2:02.9
2014 Adelaide Fawkner Silent Achiever 2:03.7
2013 Shamus Award Happy Trails Fiorente 2:05.2
2012 Ocean Park All Too Hard Pierro 2:04.1
2011 Pinker Pinker Jimmy Choux Rekindled Interest 2:05.3
2010 So You Think Zipping Whobegotyou 2:07.4
2009 So You Think Manhattan Rain Zipping 2:03.9
2008 Maldivian Zipping Samantha Miss 2:06.9
2007 El Segundo Wonderful World Haradasun 2:06.3
2006 Fields Of Omagh El Segundo Pompeii Ruler 2:06.9
2005 Makybe Diva Lotteria Fields Of Omagh 2:09.3
2004 Savabeel Fields Of Omagh Starcraft 2:06.9
2003 Fields Of Omagh Defier Lonhro 2:07.6
2002 Northerly Defier Grandera 2:06.3
2001 Northerly Sunline Viscount 2:05.8
2000 Sunline Diatribe Referral 2:07.7

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