Cox Plate Preview & Best Bets

The Group One Cox Plate is the feature race of the Cox Plate Carnival at Moonee Valley, and as ever, the prestigious $6 million contest has attracted a strong field.

Here is a look at the best bets for the Cox Plate and some of the supporting races on the card at Moonee Valley.

BEST BET: VIA SISTINA

Race 10 (Cox Plate)

Via Sistina has eight rivals to beat this Saturday as she bids to defend her crown in the Cox Plate. The star mare produced an incredible performance in this race 12 months ago, blowing her rivals away by eight lengths. She goes into the latest renewal as the hot favourite, and after landing barrier five in the draw, confidence is high in her going back-to-back in the Moonee Valley feature.

Rider James McDonald knows all about success in the Cox Plate. He has been victorious in the last three runnings of this race, including on board Via Sistina in 2024. McDonald rode the Cox Plate champion in the Breakfast With The Best workout at Moonee Valley on Tuesday morning, and the pair looked in good form.

For the first time since 2023, Via Sistina goes into this race on the back of two consecutive defeats. She was third in the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington, while more recently, she finished third in the Turnbull Stakes. That form does not concern her trainer, Chris Waller, who was keen to point out her sectionals across those two races.

The seven-time Group One winner will not contest the Melbourne Cup this season, so this race is now her primary target this spring. She is bidding to become the first horse to defend her crown in this race since Winx in 2018, and it would be quite fitting if she replicated what the legendary mare achieved in the Cox Plate.

SECOND BEST BET: GOLDEN PATH

Race 7 (Crystal Mile)

This year’s Crystal Mile is set to feature just a small field, but it is one of the most interesting races on the card. There is likely to be a lot of speed in the race, and if that proves to be the case, it could be run to suit Golden Path, who is dropping down in distance from the Turnbull Stakes.

Golden Path ran what was arguably a career-best two starts ago in the Group One Underwood Stakes at Caulfield (1800m). He finished third behind Sir Delius and Buckaroo in a bunch finish. That’s the best piece of form any of these horses in the field has produced this season.

Blake Shinn has been booked to ride Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr’s gelding. He was on board on this horse’s last victory at Flemington in the Charities Trophy. The pair has a great chance of combining for success once again.

BEST VALUE: OPTIONS

Race 9 (Moonee Valley Vase)

The Moonee Valley Vase is one of the leading support races on Cox Plate Day, and this contest features a short-price favourite, with the Godolphin-owned colt, Observer. He can be taken on this race with the Super Impose winner, Options, who is also owned by Godolphin.

Tony and Calvin McEvoy’s runner remains open to improvement and could be a serious Victoria Derby contender. He has won three of his four races so far, and in his sole defeat, he went down by just a short head. Take him to improve his record further in this Group Two contest.