Cox Plate 2022

Cox Plate 2022

The Cox Plate is one of the biggest races of the year in Australia. In recent years, it has been Winx, who has captured the hearts of Australians, that has completely dominated the race. Since Winx’s retirement, it has allowed other horses a chance to win the race, including State Of Rest in 2021. In 2022, the Cox Plate will be held on Saturday 22nd of October, and will be run at Moonee Valley Racecourse.

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Best Cox Plate Tips 2022

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Cox Plate Quick Facts

In a hurry? We’ve listed all the quick facts that you need to know about the Cox Plate:

DateSaturday, 22nd October, 2022
Start Time5.10pm
RacecourseMoonee Valley Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia
Distance2,040 metres
GradeGroup 1
Prizemoney$5,000,000

Cox Plate Introduction

The Cox Plate is hosted by the Moonee Valley Racing Club and is a Group One thoroughbred horse race, for horses aged three years and over. The Cox Plate is Australia’s premier Weight for Age race, with the distance held at 2,040 metres.

The Cox Plate is held at Moonee Valley Racecourse in Melbourne Victoria, typically on the last weekend before Melbourne Cup week, as part of the Spring Racing Carnival. The Cox Plate is Australia’s Richest Weight for Age Race with a total prize money pool of $5,000,000, with the winner taking $3,000,000.

While winning the Cox Plate is an incredible achievement in its own right, the added bonus of winning the Weight For Age classic is that you get ballot exemption entry for the Melbourne Cup, typically held 10 days later.

When looking at previous winners, Winx won the Cox Plate in four consecutive years, from 2015-2018. She has won the most number of times, four, in the races’ 100 year history. Since her retirement, three imports have won the Cox Plate, with Lys Gracieux (JPN), Sir Dragonet (IRE) and State Of Rest (IRE) winning in 2019, 2020 and 2021 respectively.

Cox Plate Tips 2022

The Cox Plate is one of Australia’s premier horse races and it happens to be a race most Aussies like to have a casual punt on. Our expert tipsters will put together a short list of Cox Plate tips to look out for in the leadup to the big race.

Cox Plate Tips From Experts

Our tips are out for the Cox Plate in 2022! Have a read on below at all our tips for the race in 2022:

1. Zaaki (1) – $4.00

Rode the speed and fought on well last start in the Caulfield Stakes. Will hold the rail, perhaps leaders back, from the inside gate and be strong at the end of ten furlongs. Has proven time and time again he’s a top class horse and has to be respected here.

2. I’m Thunderstruck (10) – $13

Ridden closer last start up to the 2000m and was strong through the line. Will more than likely let the speed go from the wide gate and let the race unfold this time. Beat G1 winner, Tuvalu, at his only go here at the Valley and will be charging home if they overdo it up front.

3. Alligator Blood (12) – $14

Pipped on the line in the Makybe Diva before an all the way win in the Underwood. Wasn’t far last start in the Caulfield Stakes at his first go 2000m. Will be sent like a shot out of a cannon from the outside gate here to lead, but will need a few soft sectionals mid race, which I don’t think he’ll get.

4. Mr Brightside (11) – $16

Raced a bit flat in the Underwood but was better last start in the Caulfield Stakes. Loves the Moonee Valley circuit and gets the winkers on for the first time. Looks ready to run a big race but has come up with a very tricky gate.

5. Mo’unga (9) – $31

Hammered the line in the Underwood and although finished 8 of 8 last start, was again solid through the line. Should get the race run to suit, handles all conditions and looks a genuine winning chance at good odds.

6. Gold Trip (7) – $14

On the seven day back up after a gallant second in last Saturday’s Caulfield Cup. Hasn’t run a bad race since arriving in Australia and Irish hoop, Jamie Spencer, comes for the ride. Bit of an odd move dropping back to 2040m after a Caulfield Cup, but he gets the blinkers on for the first time and who’s to doubt the Maher/Eustace stable. Capable of running into the money yet again.

7. Laws Of Indices (3) – $34

Finished a close up fourth in the Sir Rupert Clarke first up before an eye-catching run in the Toorak last start. Untried past the mile but should get a genuine enough tempo to relax and finish strongly, and is racing in career best form. Could sneak a place.

8. Young Werther (2) – $61

Had a nice trail and finished well in the Turnbull last start behind Smokin’ Romans. This race is a lot tougher but he should land a good spot again from the low draw and be given every opportunity. If he can find a couple of lengths, he can win.

9. Maximal (5) – $51

Finished a strong second in the Turnbull last start. Scratched from last week’s Caulfield Cup to be saved for this and connections will be praying for dry ground here. Should get a nice run from the middle gate and if that prayer comes true he is a genuine each-way chance.

10. Anamoe (4) – $2.40F

Came off the bridle on the turn and had to rally hard last start to win the Caulfield Stakes. Should be ready to fire third up here, in the race he was controversially beaten a whisker last year. Should enjoy a nice trail from the good draw and will be afforded every opportunity to go one better. The one to beat.

11. Profondo (6) – $81

Gave him a big chance in the Turnbull, where he enjoyed a nice trail and was very one paced in the straight. Gets another change of rider for this and gets to Moonee Valley for the first time which should suit, but he needs to find on recent form and will be hoping for a semi-dry track.

12. El Bodegon (8) – $7.50

Import who finished third last start behind Melbourne Cup favourite, Deauville Legend. Will roll forward under champion hoop, D Oliver, and from all reports “loves a dog fight”. Although hard to line up the International form, he looks to have his fair share of ability and any rain will only enhance his winning chances.

Cox Plate Trifecta Tips

Winning a Cox Plate trifecta is not simple, to say the least. But there are definitely tips and tricks that you can consider to make punting a little bit easier.

Cox Plate Trifecta Tip 1

Don’t blindly trust other punters, always go with your gut when it comes to choosing your favourites. Do your own research and look at stats into runners you think may have a shot at the Cox Plate trifecta.

Cox Plate Trifecta Tip 2

If you’re a bit unsure where to start with your research, consider checking out a Cox Plate form guide – bookies like Sportsbet and Neds have them available year-round.

Cox Plate Trifecta Tip 3

Consider placing a box trifecta rather than a straight trifecta. A box trifecta covers you in all combinations of finishing positions, once you’ve chosen three runners. It will also cost a little extra to place, but improves your chances of winning a Cox Plate trifecta by a massive amount.

Where to Place a Cox Plate Trifecta?

You’re able to place a Cox Plate trifecta through an online bookie – or in store at TAB. Online bookies often offer elite punting services – with plenty of fans placing a box trifecta with the 3 favourites in their bet.

Online bookies are also not subject to business hours or location – which means you’re able to place a Cox Plate trifecta from your living room! Online bookies also offer a step-by-step guide into placing a Cox Plate trifecta.

Cox Plate Betting 2022

There are a lot of important factors to consider before betting on the Cox Plate. Make sure you have a read on below before you place your bets:

Is Previous Cox Plate Form a Good Indicator of Future Cox Plate Success?

When looking at Cox Plate betting, previous Cox Plate form is certainly an indicator of success! Looking over the last 22 years, five different horses have won multiple times, with four of those five winning back-to-back. The clear standout is Winx who won in four consecutive years, from 2015-2018, but So You Think (2009-10), Northley (2001-02) and Sunline (1999-2000) also won in consecutive years.

Should I Bet On The Favourite in the Cox Plate?

While you may roll your eyes at receiving Cox Plate betting tips that are just the favourite, it may be an already tactic as Cox Plate favourites have a high win rate of 40%. Favourites starting at less than $2 have an overall win rate of 70%. The shortest recorded favourite in history was Phar Lap at $1.07 in 1931. Winx came close to this in 2017, on her way to winning a record-equalling third Cox Plate, at $1.10.

In 2021, after Zaaki was scratched Anamoe became the $3.60 favourite for the race and was beaten by 0.1L, and arguably should have won after a protest was dismissed.

Formlines from Lead Up Races

On previous statistics alone, we can see that the Caulfield Stakes provides the best indication of a Cox Plate winner. 11 of the past 37 winners of the Cox Plate have come through the 2000m Group One, typically held two weeks earlier. The Turnbull Stakes is next best with six Cox Plate winners coming through the 2000m Group One at Flemington. Both the Caulfield Guineas and Epsom Handicap have four winners each, while the major Group 1 of the Caulfield Cup has three champions.

The new formline coming into the race, especially over the last three years, is to be first up after travelling to Australia from overseas. Each of the last three winners, Lys Gracieux (JPN), Sir Dragonet (IRE) and State Of Rest (IRE), all had 2+ months off between runs after travelling to Australia for the race.

Age

Age is inherently vital when looking at former Cox Plate winners. Four-year-olds, like the Melbourne Cup, and Caulfield Cup, have the most winners, with a whopping 30. This includes five of the last 11. Five-year-olds aren’t far off in winnings, with 24, including 2019 winner Lys Gracieux. Six-year-olds have produced 15 winners.

State Of Rest (2021) slightly skews the data is he is listed as a four-year-old by Australian standards but is actually a Northern Hemisphere three-year-old.

Weight

Before State Of Rest (2021), who carried 56.5kg, the previous eight Cox Plates were won by a horse carrying 57kg or heavier, with the 2020 Cox Plate winner, Sir Dragonet, carrying a massive 59kg, the most by a winner since 2008. Since the turn of the century, just three of the last 21 winners of the Cox Plate have carried less than 55.5kg, all being 3-year-old colts carrying either 49.5kg or 48.5kg.

Over the last 21 years, inclusive of 2000, the most common weight carried by the winner has been 55.5kg, 57kg and 58kg, with those three weights having four wins each over that span.

Cox Plate Best Bets

While our Cox Plate best bets for 2022 are not out just yet, take a look at our best bets for last year, to see how we went:

Cox Plate Best Bet #1: 6. Gold Trip

Going with some each way value, in Gold Trip. He’s yet to run a bad race in Australia and he gets the shades on for the first time here. Yes, he’s dropping back from 2400m and is on the seven day back up, but the Maher/Eustace stable wouldn’t have him here if he wasn’t ready to fire. He should enjoy a sweet run midfield and will be strong late. Suggest more units for the place, but do believe he can cause a boil over and win the race.

Cox Plate Best Bet #2: 10. Anamoe 

Came off the bridle on the turn and had to rally hard last start to win the Caulfield Stakes. Should be ready to fire third up here, in the race he was controversially beaten a whisker last year. Should enjoy a nice trail from the good draw and will be afforded every opportunity to go one better. The one to beat.

Cox Plate Bet Types

Below is a table that outlines the basics on how to bet on the Cox Plate:

Bet TypeHow to Place This Type of Bet
Win BetPlace a bet on the horse you think will be the outright winner (1st place) in the 2021 Cox Plate.
Place BetPlace a bet on the horse you think will place in the top three in the 2021 Cox Plate. Pays less than a win bet, but the odds are safer.
Each-Way BetPlace a bet on the horse you think will win the Cox Plate, with a safety net of a place bet. If your horse runs 1st, you will collect both the win and the place pay-out. If your horse finishes 2nd or 3rd, you will win only the place pay-out.
Quinella BetPlace a bet on the horses you think will finish 1st and 2nd in any order in the Cox Plate.
Exacta BetPlace a bet on the horses you think will finish 1st and 2nd in the correct order in the Cox Plate.
Trifecta BetPlace a bet on the horses you think will finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the correct order in the Cox Plate.
First FourPlace a bet on the horses you think will finish 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th in the correct order in the Cox Plate.
QuaddiePlace a bet on the winners of four nominated races to win a quaddie. This means you have to select three other races apart from the Cox Plate to place a quaddie.

Cox Plate Odds 2022

Long before the Cox Plate field is officially announced – online bookies will open early markets, or all-in markets, for Cox Plate betting. This is prime time to place a punt on your horse, as you’re able to bet on strong contenders for the 2022 Cox Plate at double-digit odds.

The 2022 Cox Plate odds will obviously fluctuate frequently in the lead up to the race, especially when horses come back to begin Spring and we can get a better idea of how they will be going this preparation. Punting early on these markets can find you a favourite at prices of $20 or more, which will retain you a much higher return on investment. However, there is increased risk with doing this and you should be well aware.

Depending on when you place a futures bet on the 2022 Cox Plate, your horse may not even run but you won’t get your money back, occurring when the market is ‘All-In’ or closer to the starting date.

If you are betting when it says ‘Before Noms’, you have the security of receiving your money back if your horse doesn’t run, but they could return from a spell in terrible form or with an underlying issue, seeing your bet potentially wasted and their odds balloon out even more.

The 2022 Cox Plate odds are out, and Zaaki has moved into favouritism from State Of Rest, who is on the second line of betting at $7.00. Here are the current odds, courtesy of Neds, as of mid-August:

HorseOdds
Zaaki$5.00
State Of Rest$7.00
Anamoe$8.00
Real World$11
Duais$15
Nations Pride$15
Western Empire$15
Im Thunderstruck$17
Mr Brightside$18
Gold Trip$26
Huetor$26
Illation$26
My Oberon$26

Cox Plate Field 2022

Given the Cox Plate is Australia’s, and potentially the world’s, greatest weight-for-age contest, it often attracts an extremely talented field with horses coming from across the globe in an attempt to be crowned champion. The Cox Plate field has a capacity of 14 hours + 4 emergencies, however the amount of horses that run is up to the discretion of the selecting committee for the race.

The official 2022 Cox Plate field will be announced on Tuesday, October 18th, which is four days before the big race. Until then, there is no confirmation for who will actually be in the race, but we will continue to update this section as more trainers announce where their horses are heading.

While we wait for the 2022 Cox Plate field, let’s back at last year’s Cox Plate field, headlined by Verry Elleegant & State Of Rest. Here is the full field:

HorseBarrierJockeyTrainer
1. Zaaki (SCR)Annabel Neasham
2. Dalasan (59kg)2Daniel MoorLeon Macdonald & Andrew Gluyas
3. Gold Trip (SCR)Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
4. Callsign Mav (59kg)4Luke NolenJohn Bary
5. Mo’unga (57.5kg)3Hugh BowmanAnnabel Neasham
6. Verry Elleegant (57kg)7Damian LaneChris Waller
7. Probabeel (57kg)5Brett PrebbleJamie Richards
8. State Of Rest (56.5kg)6John AllenJoseph O’Brien
9. Anamoe (49.5kg)8Craig WilliamsJames Cummings
10. Captivant (49.5kg)1Dean YendallPeter & Paul Snowden

Cox Plate Barrier Draw

Obviously the barrier draw isn’t the be all and end all, but there’s definitely gates you want to get, and gates you don’t. The Moonee Valley Racecourse has some pretty tight curves, meaning the inside run is a highly sought after prize.

As you can see above, State Of Rest won in 2020 from barrier 6, which is typically in the lower half of the draw but with just eight horses running, was third widest. Sir Dragonet (2020) also won from barrier 6, proving the inside barrier point even further. However in 2019, Lys Gracieux won the Cox Plate from a wide barrier, 11, but also had the tactical versatility, as well as the class, to overcome this tough run in transit.

Now, for the actual Cox Plate barrier statistics:

  • Since 1939, Barrier 6 has seen the most winners, with 12.
  • Neighbouring gate, Barrier 7, comes in second, with 10 winners.
  • Barrier 5 is third in Gate Wins, with seven.
  • Russian Camelot, the favourite, drew a wide barrier in 2020, with barrier 14 of 14, which may be part of the reason he came third.
  • Anamoe, the favourite, draw a wide barrier in 2021, with barrier 10 of 10, but was still able to finish just 0.1L off the winner and, arguably, could have won.

Cox Plate Results 2022

With the race yet to be run, we still don’t know what the Cox Plate results for 2022 will be! However, check back in after the race and we will have all of the information on how the big race went and what the results are.

Looking back at the 2021 Cox Plate results, the UK-raider, State Of Rest, was able to just hold off the fast finishing three-year-old Godolphin Colt, Anamoe, winning by 0.1L after a protest was dismissed.

There was certainly some bumping in the home straight, as State Of Rest came off his line into Anamoe, but the judges ruled it clean and the Joseph O’Brien trained colt was awarded the win. The first two past the post put a 1 length gap on Verry Elleegant, who went wide around the field rather than cutting in on the inside, like the top two.

You’ve read the words, now watch the video! Have a squiz below at the 2021 Cox Plate race:

Have a look below at the full results for the Cox Plate in 2021:

FinishHorseJockeyLengths
1st8. State Of Rest (6)John Allen
2nd9. Anamoe (8)Craig Williams0.1L
3rd6. Verry Elleegant (7)Damian Lane1.1L
4th5. Mo’unga (3)Hugh Bowman4.1L
5th7. Probabeel (5)Brett Prebble7.1L
6th2. Dalasan (2)Daniel Moor8.35L
7th4. Callsign Mav (4)Luke Nolen13.85L
8th10. Captivant (1)Dean Yendall15.1L

Cox Plate Winners

The results for the upcoming Cox Plate are not yet available, but in the meantime, you can have a look below at all the recent past winners:

YearWinnerSecondThird
2022TBATBATBA
2021State Of RestAnamoeVerry Elleegant
2020Sir DragonetArmoryRussian Camelot
2019Lys GracieuxCastelvecchioTe Akau Shark
2018WinxBenbatlHumidor
2017WinxHumidorFolkswood
2016WinxHartnellYankee Rose
2015WinxCriterionHighland Reel
2014AdelaideFawknerSilent Achiever
2013Shamus AwardHappy TrailsFiorente
2012Ocean ParkAll Too HardPierro
2011Pinker PinkerJimmy ChouxRekindled Interest
2010So You ThinkZippingWhobegotyou

Cox Plate Jockeys 2022

Given it has the status of Australia’s greatest weight-for-age thoroughbred race, the Cox Plate always attracts the best jockeys from around the country, and sometimes even the world.

When looking at the 2021 Cox Plate, Sydney jockeys applied for special COVID-19 travel exemptions in order to come down for the Cox Plate, however Hugh Bowman was the only one of the three that ended up riding!

John Allen streered State Of Rest home in 2021, winning his first Cox Plate. The win by Glen Boss on Sir Dragonet in 2020 was his fourth Cox Plate, joining the likes of Hugh Bowman and Brent Thomson on that amount, but they are still all second best. Darby Munro holds the record for most Cox Plates won by a jockey, winning the event five times.

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Funnily enough, Munro, who won in 1933, 1937, 1939, 1941 and 1952, won on five different horses. Twice he took the ride on a horse that had won the previous year, which he didn’t ride, and steered them to victory.

Thomson won his four over the space of five years, winning in 1975 and then in three consecutive years from 1977-79. Like Munro, and even despite winning it in three straight years, Thomson was aboard four different horses for his Cox Plate winners.

Boss’ win in 2021 was his first since 2012, winning previously in 2009 and 2005. His first win was on the brilliant mare, Makybe Diva, and like the previous two Cox Plate jockeys, steered four different horses to victory.

Bowman is the outlier of the group. He holds the record for most consecutive Cox Plate wins, four, and it is all thanks to one of the best to ever do it. Bowman was lucky enough to be the hoop for Winx, who famously won four straight Cox Plates from 2015-18. In a funny turn of events, Bowman was actually supposed to ride Sir Dragonet in 2020 but suspension forced him to give up the ride, with Boss taking over and the rest being history!

While the 2022 Cox Plate jockeys are yet to be decided, know that the best that Australia has to offer will be there on the big day. If you are interested in a little history, have a look at the table below, which outlines all the winning jockeys over the past two decades.

YearHorseJockey
2022TBATBA
2021State Of RestJohn Allen
2020Sir DragonetGlen Boss
2019Lys GraiceuxDamian Lane
2018WinxHugh Bowman
2017WinxHugh Bowman
2016WinxHugh Bowman
2015WinxHugh Bowman
2014AdelaideRyan Moore
2013Shamus AwardChad Schofield
2012Ocean ParkGlen Boss
2011Pinker PinkerCraig Williams
2010So You ThinkSteven Arnold
2009So You ThinkGlen Boss
2008MaldivianMichael Rodd
2007El SegundoLuke Nolen
2006Fields Of OmaghCraig Williams
2005Makybe DivaGlen Boss
2004SavabeelChris Munce
2003Fields of OmaghSteven King
2002NortherlyPatrick Payne
2001NortherlyDamien Oliver
2000SunlineGreg Childs

Cox Plate Trainers 2022

While jockeys seem to get a lot of love due to their race-day involvement in success, the trainers clearly play a vital role in getting each horse ready to run on any particular day, including the Cox Plate.

Given it is in the latter part of the Spring Carnival, the Cox Plate is often seen as a ‘Grand Final’ for some horses and it is the trainers role to get them prepared to be at their absolute peak for the best weight-for-age race in Australia.

Cox Plate trainers are well compensated, should they do well enough to prepare a horse that eventually wins, getting a sizable chunk of the $3,000,000 prize that goes to the winner, which is part of the $5,000,000 total prize money.

The 2021 event saw all eight horses have eight different traders, with the UK-based Joseph O’Brien come out on top with State Of Rest.

While the Cox Plate trainers for 2022 are yet to be released, we will update you with all of the news as it comes to hand. In the meantime, take a look back at some of the previous trainers to win the illustrious Cox Plate.

YearHorseTrainer
2022TBATBA
2021State Of RestJoseph O’Brien
2020Sir DragonetCiaron Maher & David Eustace
2019Lys GraiceuxYoshito Yahagi
2018WinxChris Waller
2017WinxChris Waller
2016WinxChris Waller
2015WinxChris Waller
2014AdelaideAidan O’Brien
2013Shamus AwardDanny O’Brien
2012Ocean ParkGary Hennessy
2011Pinker PinkerGreg Eurell
2010So You ThinkJ B Cummings
2009So You ThinkJ B Cummings
2008MaldivianMark Kavanagh
2007El SegundoColin Little
2006Fields Of OmaghDavid A. Hayes
2005Makybe DivaLee Freedman
2004SavabeelGraeme Rogerson
2003Fields of OmaghTony McEvoy
2002NortherlyFred Kersley
2001NortherlyFred Kersley
2000SunlineTrevor McKee

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