Named after the founder of Moonee Valley Racecourse William Samuel Cox, the Cox Plate pits together the finest thoroughbreds aged three years and older in Australia’s richest weight-for-age prize, writes Mikey Mumford. Over a distance of 2,040 metres which translates to a little over 10 furlongs, the race is a true test of horses’ ability to cruise at speed. Something So You Think, now with Aidan O’Brien, had in abundance when routing the field after being sent off market leader (1/2) on just his fifth career start for Bart Cummings last year. He also won the race the previous year in 2009 but failed in his tilt at the Melbourne Cup twelve months ago finishing third.

Cox Plate odds

Favourites in this race have an okay strike rate; 41% have gone in since the Cox Plate inauguration in 1922. However, only three market jolly’s have won this event in the last decade and that must be a might be a worry for favourite backers in such a competitive renewal. The first running of this event in 1922 was won by the English horse Violoncello and it will be interesting to see which of those challengers from Britain will line up this year.

Cox Plate tips

Horses aged five and six years seem to have a good record in this event winning eight of the last 13 Cox Plates. Punters shouldn’t be put off by the bigger prices in this race neither because half of the last ten winners have scored at odds of 10/1 and bigger. Expect the ante-post market to take shape in the coming weeks an up until race date on October 22.

Like the Melbourne Cup, excellent prize money is on offer for this Group 1 event and winning connections can expect to take home a share of A$3 million. But first runners and riders must negotiate the left-handed turn at the Moonee Valley track before throwing down their challenge in the final few furlongs of the race.

Cox Plate free bet

Online bookmakers offer a number of special promotions and Cox Plate free bets. We’ve hand picked the best free bet offers for this race below: