103 entries have been received for the 2026 Group I MVRC Cox Plate (2040m) to be run on October 24 with a galaxy of stars that include 15 overseas contenders and a group of new season 3YO’s.
No locally bred three year-old has won the Cox Plate since Shamus Award in 2013, although two NH bred three year-olds Adelaide (IRE) in 2014 and State of Rest (IRE) in 2021 have achieved the feat.
It’s always worth digging into the list of 3YO’s entered for the Cox Plate as while most won’t be there on the day it does highlight that they are held in high regard by their stable and that can be a good tip for a punter going forward.
Last year an unraced Lonhro colt bred and raced by Godolphin was entered for the Cox Plate by Joe Pride.
He was Attica, who came out and broke his maiden on debut at Warwick Farm on September 3 and three starts later won the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes.
Also entered were three start maiden Providence from the Chris Waller stable and the Ciaron Maher trained Observer, who had one minor win at Sandown from three starts.
Providence won the G1 Queensland Derby and has been sold to Hong Kong, while Observer won the G1 Victoria Derby and Australian Guineas and is now at stud.
So who are the 3YO Cox Plate entries this year?
ALREADY STAKES-WINNERS
Alibaba (Ken and Kasey Keys) – SW, won Listed Blue Diamond Preview from five starts, by Alabama Express.
Blind Raise (NZ) (Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young) – SW, won Listed Anzac Day Stakes from three starts, by Ace High.
Campione D’Italia (Chris Waller) – G1 ATC Sires Produce Stakes winner, by Snitzel.
Diameter (Chris Waller), SW, Listed Fernhill Mile from six starts, by Brazen Beau
Fireball (Chris Waller), G1 ATC Champagne Stakes winner, by Snitzel
Tron Bolt (Chris Waller) – G1 BRC JJ Atkins winner , by Toronado (IRE)
Warwoven (Bjorn Baker) – G3 Pago Pago Stakes winner, Sword of State
UP AND COMERS
American Eagle (Anthony and Sam Freedman) – Winner on debut at Sandown July 15, by Too Darn Hot (GB)
Central Europe (Chris Waller) – Group placed in his only two starts G2 Skyline, G3 Pago Pago, by Frankel
Genesis Runner (Richard and Will Freedman)- winner at Newcastle from two starts, by Gun Runner.
Klocke (Chris Waller)- SP in Brisbane, second at only two starts, by Zoustar
Ko Phangan (Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young) – SP in Melbourne, one win at Flemington over 1800m from seven starts, by Ole Kirk.
Obambulate (Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young) – two wins at Caulfield and Pakenham from three starts, by Tiger of Malay.
Stitzer (NZ) (John O’Shea and Tom Charlton) – two start maiden including fourth in Listed ATC Fernhill Mile, by Maurice (Jpn)
Stormy Marco (Chris Waller) – Winner on debut Hawkesbury Clarendon Stakes and third in G1 JJ Atkins from three starts, by Wootton Bassett (GB)
Sing Your Song (Chris Waller) – THE ONLY 3YO FILLY entered for the Cox Plate - Second on debut in a Randwick maiden back in April, by Snitzel.
Sing Your Song is a full sister to handy 3YO stayer Mathias, who won the G3 ATC Fank Packer Plate and G3 BRC Grand Prix last season.
She finished hard from the back of the field when second on debut and while all the post race comment centred on the runaway winner Moscatel, Sing Your Song did look good in hindsight.
Sing Your Song has had two recent quiet barrier trials with James McDonald riding – watch this space!
