The stage is set for Saturday's $6 million Group I Ladbrokes Cox Plate at Flemington Racecourse, with a field of 12 confirmed to contest Australia's Best Race over 2040 metres.
The 106th running of the W.S. Cox Plate will take place away from Moonee Valley Racecourse for the first time in the race's history.
Champion jockey James McDonald chasing an unprecedented fifth consecutive Ladbrokes Cox Plate victory when he partners Aeliana (NZ) from barrier 10.
Trainer Chris Waller also has the chance to equal a longstanding record, with Aeliana and Birdman (barrier 1) giving him two opportunities to claim a seventh W.S. Cox Plate and join the legendary T.J. Smith as the race's most successful trainer.
Meanwhile, Gai Waterhouse will be looking to secure her first Ladbrokes Cox Plate victory alongside training partner Adrian Bott, with leading contender Sir Delius (GB), who jumps from gate 5.
Three year-old colt Warwoven, who has blazed a G1 path through the spring with brilliant wins in the Golden Rose and Caulfield Guineas drew ideally in gate 2.
The final field and barriers for the 2026 Ladbrokes Cox Plate is:
|
No. |
Horse (Sire) |
Barrier |
Trainer |
|
1 |
Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock) |
3 |
Joseph Pride |
|
2 |
Light Infantry Man (Fr) (Fast Company) |
11 |
Ciaron Maher |
|
3 |
Sir Delius (GB) (Frankel) |
5 |
Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott |
|
4 |
Attrition (Churchill (IRE) |
4 |
Mitchell Freedman |
|
5 |
Cosmic Crusader (NZ) (Maurice (Jpn) |
8 |
Andrea Leek |
|
6 |
Birdman (IRE) (Free Eagle) |
1 |
Chris Waller |
|
7 |
Land Legend (Fr) (Galileo) |
12 |
Ciaron Maher |
|
8 |
Middle Earth (GB) (Roaring Lion) |
7 |
Ciaron Maher |
|
9 |
Saint George (GB) ( Roaring Lion) |
6 |
Ciaron Maher |
|
10 |
Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchio) |
10 |
Chris Waller |
|
11 |
Warwoven (Sword of State) |
2 |
Bjorn Baker |
|
12 |
Blind Raise (NZ) (Ace High) |
9 |
Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young |
