Horse Racing Tips for the Cox Plate 2024

There's no better race day than Cox Plate Day at Moonee Valley.

While other racecourses might attract bigger crowds or host multiple Group 1 races on the same day, nothing quite matches the atmosphere of the Valley.

The roar of the crowd as the horses turn for home is unrivalled.

The 2024 edition of the Cox Plate has attracted a stellar field, featuring some of the finest 2000m horses from Australia and two high-quality international challengers, headlined by Japanese star Prognosis.

This year’s race is wide open, and you can make a case for almost every runner in the field.

 

 

Track Conditions

The track is rated Good 4, with fine weather expected leading into Saturday.

The rail is in the True position, and while the Valley typically favours on-pace runners or those drawn near the rail, Cox Plate Day has historically played more evenly.

If you're backing a backmarker, this is the one day where they have a real shot.

 

See who Mark Hunter likes in the Cox Plate

 

Moonee Valley Race 9 – Cox Plate 2000m

The Map

Pride Of Jenni (7) will set her usual fast tempo out in front.

The key question is who will lead the rest of the pack to keep her within striking distance?

Mr Brightside (2) and Royal Patronage (3) are well-drawn and should sit behind Pride Of Jenni, aiming to track her.

Evaporate and Via Sistina (4) will to settle close to the speed, with Broadsiding (8) and Prognosis (5) taking up rearward positions.

 

The Field

#1 Mr Brightside 

Barrier 2 | Weight 59kg

J: Craig Williams T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes

Mr Brightside was narrowly beaten in last year’s Cox Plate by Romantic Warrior and has shown good form this spring.

However, his disappointing last-start defeat in the Might & Power raises questions about his ability over 2000m, which he has yet to win at.

 

 #2 Prognosis

Barrier 5 | 59kg

J: Damian Lane T: M Nakauchida

The Japanese superstar brings an incredible first-up record and has top-class form, finishing just 0.3 lengths behind 2023 Cox Plate winner Romantic Warrior in Hong Kong.

However, Pride Of Jenni's fast pace could make it tough for him to come from behind on the Valley track.

 

 #3 Kovalica

Barrier 9 | 59kg

J: M Zahra T: C J Waller

Kovalica has solid form this prep but faces a massive step up in class.

He will likely find it hard to compete with this level of competition, especially from a wide barrier.

 

 #4 Royal Patronage

Barrier 3 | 59kg

J: M J Dee T: G Waterhouse & A Bott

Royal Patronage has had a consistent prep, with his third-place finish behind Fangirl giving him some credibility.

However, he'll need to improve significantly to win here.

 

 #5 Docklands

Barrier 1 | 59kg

J: B Shinn T: H Eustace

Lightly raced and well-drawn with the in-form Blake Shinn aboard, Docklands is a place chance but would need to elevate to take out a race of this calibre.

 

 #6 Pride Of Jenni

Barrier 7 | 57kg

J: Declan Bates T: C Maher

After a lackluster first-up run, Pride Of Jenni has bounced back in fine style, narrowly missing a hat-trick of wins.

She’ll lead and could open up a margin that proves difficult to chase down.

However, leaders have struggled to win this race in recent years, and the 7-day backup is a concern.

 

 #7 Via Sistina

Barrier 4 | 57kg

J: J B Mc Donald T: C J Waller

Take out her failure on heavy ground in the Makybe Diva, and Via Sistina has had a flawless preparation, winning the Turnbull Stakes last start.

However, her interrupted preparation—unseating jockey James McDonald during trackwork—isn’t ideal. She’ll be the main chaser behind Pride Of Jenni.

 

 #8 Broadsiding

Barrier 8 | 49.5kg

J: Jamie Kah T: James Cummings

The x-factor in the race, Broadsiding has drawn comparisons to former Cox Plate winner Anamoe.

His run in the Caulfield Guineas was enormous, and while this is his first go at weight-for-age, the 49kg makes him a serious contender.

 

 #9 Evaporate

Barrier 6 | 49.5kg

J: K Teetan T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes

A three-time winner at the Valley, Evaporate deserves more respect in the market, especially given he beat Broadsiding last start.

He faces a challenge stepping up to weight-for-age, but a bold showing wouldn’t surprise.

 

Top Selections

1st – Pride Of Jenni $4.60

Pride Of Jenni can break their hearts from the front.

She was softened up late in the King Charles last Saturday but won’t face the same pressure here.

She was brilliant in the Feehan at this track and should produce a similar display in the Cox Plate.

 

 

2nd – Via Sistina $4.40

Via Sistina has been my pick for the Cox Plate for months, but chasing down Pride Of Jenni might be a tough ask.

She’ll need to produce a huge effort, but she’s capable of doing so based on her Turnbull win.

 

3rd – Broadsiding $6.00

A 3-year-old has only won the Cox Plate five times in the last 30 years, but Broadsiding has the x-factor to go close.

Carrying just 49kg, he’ll be flying late and could surprise.

 

4th – Prognosis $3.50

While his form says he’s a top chance, Prognosis has a tough task ahead, chasing from the rear on a track like the Valley.

He has the class, but Pride Of Jenni’s front-running style will make it hard for him to reel in the leader.

 

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