Defending champion Via Sistina is among 21 horses champion trainer Chris Waller still has in contention for the $6 million 2025 Ladbrokes Cox Plate, following the closure of first acceptances on Tuesday.
With a total of 57 horses keeping the dream alive, Waller’s team also includes Aeliana, Autumn Glow, Buckarroo, Fangirl and Saturday’s impressive pair of winners Angel Capital and Lindermann.
Waller has won the W. S. Cox Plate on five occasions and currently sits alongside Bart Cummings as the third most successful trainer in the race’s 104 editions. T.J. Smith has won the race on seven occasions with Waller looking to join Jack Holt with six wins this year.
A memorable Ladbrokes Cox Plate clash between Yulong-owned mares Via Sistina and Treasurethe Moment remains on the cards after Matt Laurie declared with his recent G1 Memsie Stakes winner, who has now won her last nine races. Treasurethe Moment is now expected to have her first look at The Valley in the $500,000 G2 Ladbrokes Feehan Stakes on September 26 – a golden ticket race into the 2025 Ladbrokes Cox Plate.
Meanwhile Ciaron Maher declared with all seven of his nominated runners highlighted by G1 winners Another Wil, Gringotts, Light Infantry Man, Willydoit and Zardozi.
Bjorn Baker has four runners still in play for the Ladbrokes Cox Plate while Anthony and Sam Freedman and Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott still have three hopefuls each.
Mr Brightside and Royal Patronage who competed in the 2024 Ladbrokes Cox Plate behind Via Sistina were also amongst the first acceptors.
Eleven three-year-olds remain in the race with Bjorn Baker’s Within The Law the only filly alongside the likes of Vinrock, Nepotism, Autumn Boy and Wodeton.
New Zealand G1 winner Pier was a late nomination for the 2025 Ladbrokes Cox Plate on September 2.
Second acceptances for the 2025 Ladbrokes Cox Plate close at noon on Tuesday, 23rd September.
Click here to see the full list of 57 still in the race
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