The Moonee Valley Racing Club has released the list of nominations for the upcoming running of the Cox Plate.
Trainer Chris Waller has put forward a substantial number of entries for the $6 million race, with 27 of his potential contenders, including the notable mare Autumn Glow, featuring in the 2040-metre event revealed on Tuesday.
Despite paying the $1320 entry fee, Waller indicated that Autumn Glow’s participation in the October 24 race is unlikely, unless her regular jockey James McDonald, who has won the Cox Plate for the past four years, suggests otherwise.
“Just to keep options open,” Waller commented when asked about Autumn Glow’s inclusion.
“It’s not on our radar, but if James at any stage says, ‘have a go at the Cox Plate’ she’ll be having a go.”
Autumn Glow is scheduled to make her seasonal reappearance in the Group 1 Winx Stakes at Randwick on August 22 over 1400m. Her performance in that race will likely determine her path, with potential targets including the $20 million The Everest (1200m) or the King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on October 17.
A total of 103 horses were nominated for the Cox Plate, which will be held at Flemington this year due to track redevelopment at Moonee Valley.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained import Sir Delius heads the list of locally-based entries, aiming for redemption after being withdrawn from last year’s race when considered a short-priced favourite.
Fifteen international contenders have been nominated, hailing from Ireland, the United Kingdom, France, and Japan. The standout international entry is the three-year-old Gstaad, who recently finished runner-up in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood behind the superstar miler Bow Echo.
Calandagan, who had been touted as a potential visitor, was not among the nominations. However, the trainer of the Japan Cup winner, Francis-Henri Graffard, has entered Royal Ascot victor Map Of Stars.
Waller will be without Via Sistina this year, the mare that won the past two Cox Plates and brought him within one win of Tommy Smith’s record of seven victories. However, his 2026 stable includes two horses that finished behind the winner last year.
Buckaroo, who was a narrow runner-up to Via Sistina, has been nominated again. Aeliana, who finished sixth last year, is also entered and is expected to run in the Cox Plate en route to the Melbourne Cup.
“It’s not my job to seed them, but she’d certainly be right up there,” Waller commented about Aeliana, whose preparation was thrown a curveball on Tuesday morning when she was a late scratching from a trial at Warwick Farm.
“We’ll probably make it her target race. I’m not saying she’s our top seed, but she will be set for the race and I think it fits into a Melbourne Cup.
“But, first and foremost, a Cox Plate.”
Waller trains half of the 16 three-year-olds who have been nominated, including Group 1-winning two-year-olds Campione D’Italia, Fireball, and Tron Bolt.
The nominations for the Cox Plate are in, and the race promises to be a competitive affair. Keep an eye on the racing betting markets for the latest updates.
