The 2026 Cox Plate is a Group 1 weight-for-age race over 2040 metres at Flemington, run as Race 8 at 5:10pm AEDT on Saturday 24 October 2026 for $6,000,000 plus trophies. It is the 106th running and the first ever held away from Moonee Valley, which is closed for redevelopment. Sir Delius and Warwoven share favouritism at $4.60, with Aeliana at $4.80 and Ceolwulf at $7.00. Punt Hub's value bet is No. 10 Aeliana, the triple Group 1 winner who gives James McDonald his shot at a fifth straight Cox Plate. We're against Ceolwulf on Saturday.
Twelve runners, no emergencies. Chris Waller chases a seventh Cox Plate with Aeliana and Birdman, Ciaron Maher saddles four, and three-year-olds Warwoven and Blind Raise get 9.5kg from the older horses. All odds are Punt Hub's best displayed win prices across the bookmakers Punt Hub compares. Follow the market on the Punt Hub Cox Plate race page.
Cox Plate 2026 tips at a glance
Value bet: 10. Aeliana (barrier 10, 57kg, James McDonald). Win, $4.80 best displayed.
Against: 1. Ceolwulf ($7.00). A miler on a seven-day back-up, stretching to 2040 metres against stayers.
Punt Hub selection: 10.
Cox Plate 2026 key facts
Race detail | 2026 Cox Plate |
|---|---|
Date | Saturday 24 October 2026 (Cox Plate Day) |
Venue | Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne VIC (first time; Moonee Valley is being rebuilt) |
Race | Race 8, Cox Plate (Group 1), 106th running |
Start time | 5:10pm AEDT |
Distance | 2040 metres, turf, anticlockwise |
Conditions | Weight-for-age, three-year-olds and upwards |
Prizemoney | $6,000,000 plus $50,000 in trophies ($4,000,000 to the winner) |
Field | 12 runners, no emergencies |
Weights | 59kg for older males, 57kg for Aeliana, 49.5kg for the three-year-olds |
Forecast | 50% chance of showers, top of 20°C, after 90% chance of rain on Friday |
Last year's winner | Via Sistina ($2.25), 57kg, at Moonee Valley |
All times are AEDT. The race starts at 5:10pm in Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra and Hobart, 4:40pm in Adelaide, 4:10pm in Brisbane and 2:10pm in Perth.
Cox Plate 2026 field, barriers and odds
The table lists each runner's barrier, weight, jockey, trainer and last 10 starts. All odds are Punt Hub's best displayed win prices across the bookmakers Punt Hub compares.
No. | Horse | Barrier | Kg | Jockey | Trainer | Last 10 | Win odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |  Ceolwulf (NZ) | 3 | 59 | Chad Schofield | Joe Pride | 1x66x52322 | $7.00 |
2 |  Light Infantry Man (FR) | 11 | 59 | Harry Coffey | Ciaron Maher | 2x1415x482 | $31 |
3 |  Sir Delius (GB) | 5 | 59 | Craig Williams | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 211x331x44 | $4.60 |
4 |  Attrition | 4 | 59 | Jamie Mott | Mitch Freedman | 46x80x9031 | $51 |
5 |  Cosmic Crusader (NZ) | 8 | 59 | William Pike | Andrea Leek | 112x113214 | $8.00 |
6 |  Birdman (IRE) | 1 | 59 | Ben Melham | Chris Waller | 411521x613 | $12 |
7 |  Land Legend (FR) | 12 | 59 | Ethan Brown | Ciaron Maher | 0x0729x001 | $41 |
8 |  Middle Earth (GB) | 7 | 59 | John Allen | Ciaron Maher | 3x891x8789 | $126 |
9 |  Saint George (IRE) | 6 | 59 | Blake Shinn | Ciaron Maher | 114x411202 | $23 |
10 |  Aeliana (NZ) | 10 | 57 | James McDonald | Chris Waller | 6x2211x023 | $4.80 |
11 |  Warwoven | 2 | 49.5 | Rachel King | Bjorn Baker | 11416x5111 | $4.60 |
12 |  Blind Raise (NZ) | 9 | 49.5 | Jamie Melham | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | 119x112 | $15 |
Scratchings close on race morning. Check the live Cox Plate odds before you bet.
Cox Plate 2026 market overview
Sir Delius and Warwoven share favouritism at $4.60, with Aeliana next at $4.80 and Ceolwulf at $7.00. Aeliana was the pre-draw favourite and sits at $4.80 after landing barrier 10, while Sir Delius's connections chose barrier 5. Ceolwulf is $7.00 after Joe Pride confirmed the back-up, Cosmic Crusader $8.00 is the only other runner in single figures, and the three-year-olds are the wildcards. The market is treating this as a four-horse race.
Favourites have won 12 of the last 35 Cox Plates, including Via Sistina ($2.25) last year and Anamoe ($2.40) in 2022.
Our Cox Plate value bet: Aeliana
Aeliana is the best horse in the race on what she has already done, she is building to her peak at the right time, and she has the one jockey who has made this race his own. At Flemington, with a long run to the first turn and a 450-metre straight, barrier 10 matters far less than it would at Moonee Valley.
The form is the strongest in the field
She won the Australian Derby by five lengths as a three-year-old, then returned this autumn to win the Ranvet Stakes (2000m), beating Sir Delius, and the Tancred Stakes (2400m) seven days later, running down Dubai Honour. She beat Sir Delius the last time they met at this trip.
Peaking fourth-up
Her preparation has followed the Waller script: 11th first-up over 1400 metres, second to Autumn Glow in the George Main at $21, then third in the Turnbull from the back on a Heavy 10, beaten 2.75 lengths and running on hardest of anything in the race. McDonald said she was "the one ripping through the line" and was "only third-up at the time". She is now fourth-up on a track where she has placed three times from four starts.
McDonald and Flemington
James McDonald has ridden the last four Cox Plate winners: Anamoe, Romantic Warrior and Via Sistina twice. He rode Aeliana in both her autumn Group 1 wins and said this week she is "ready to go" and "will be there when the whips are cracking".
The case against
She has not won since March, and four of her six career wins have come on soft ground. A drying Flemington on Saturday would be a question. She ran sixth in last year's Cox Plate at $8, although that was as a three-year-old at Moonee Valley.
Why we're against Ceolwulf
Ceolwulf is a terrific miler and he is racing well, but we're against him on Saturday at $7.00. He has won once in six starts at 2000 metres or further and has never raced beyond 2400 metres. He is on a seven-day back-up from a hard second to Autumn Glow, where Chad Schofield had to ease him in the last 50 metres. He has not won since the Champions Mile last November, and $7.00 is short for a horse stepping up 440 metres against proven stayers.
Cox Plate 2026 contenders and form analysis
3. Sir Delius ($4.60)
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott's import has won seven of 14 starts, including the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington last October and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes in April, where he beat Autumn Glow over 2000 metres. He has been set for this race since the autumn, and his two runs back were one-paced fourths in the Makybe Diva and Turnbull. Craig Williams said after the Turnbull that he expects him to peak on 24 October. Barrier 5 was his connections' first choice and he maps for the perfect run.
11. Warwoven ($4.60)
Bjorn Baker's colt is unbeaten this spring, winning the Golden Rose and Caulfield Guineas, where he beat Blind Raise by 1.75 lengths. He has won six of nine starts and gets 9.5kg from the older horses. He has never raced beyond 1600 metres, and no three-year-old has won the Cox Plate since Shamus Award in 2013. Barrier 2 with Rachel King is ideal.
5. Cosmic Crusader ($8.00)
The Turnbull Stakes winner ran fourth as favourite in the Caulfield Cup last Saturday, beaten 1.5 lengths after racing on the speed from a wide gate. He backs up seven days later for his seventh run of the preparation. He has never been asked to back up like this.
6. Birdman ($12)
Chris Waller's second runner won the Underwood Stakes from Cosmic Crusader and was third behind Land Legend in the Might And Power. From barrier 1, Ben Melham should have a cosy run on the fence, but he needs to find a length on the favourites.
12. Blind Raise ($15)
Second to Warwoven in the Caulfield Guineas after winning the Prelude. Gets the same 49.5kg, with Jamie Melham from barrier 9.
The rest of the field
Light Infantry Man ($31) has won two Australian Cups over this course and distance and was second to Cosmic Crusader in the Turnbull.
Land Legend ($41) led all the way to win the Might And Power at $61 in track-record time and picked barrier 12 so he can roll forward.
Saint George ($23) was second in the Caulfield Cup seven days ago.
Attrition ($51) won the Hill Stakes and ran fourth in last year's Cox Plate.
Middle Earth ($126) was ninth in the Caulfield Cup.
Cox Plate 2026 speed map and barriers
Position | Runners |
|---|---|
Leaders | Land Legend (12), Light Infantry Man (11) |
On the pace | Birdman (1), Warwoven (2), Sir Delius (5), Attrition (4) |
Midfield | Ceolwulf (3), Saint George (6), Cosmic Crusader (8), Blind Raise (9) |
Back | Middle Earth (7), Aeliana (10) |
Land Legend's connections chose the outside gate so he can cross and lead, as he did in the Might And Power, and Light Infantry Man will press him, so expect a genuine tempo that suits the closers. Expect McDonald to settle Aeliana behind midfield with cover and build from the 800 metres, while Sir Delius gets the run of the race from barrier 5.
History says… There is no Flemington Cox Plate barrier history. Over 2000 metres at Flemington, the run to the first turn is about 1,000 metres, so wide gates are a smaller penalty than at Moonee Valley.
Flemington track condition and weather for the Cox Plate
Flemington was a Heavy 8 for the Turnbull on 3 October. The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts a 90% chance of rain on Friday and a 50% chance of showers on Saturday with a top of 20°C. A Soft track is likely. Recheck the rating and rail position on race morning.
Rain helps Aeliana, who has won four of six on soft ground. Ceolwulf won the Champions Mile on a Heavy 9 and Cosmic Crusader the Turnbull on a Heavy 8, so several of the main chances handle give.
Cox Plate trends and statistics
We analysed every Cox Plate from 2010 to 2025.
Age: 12 of the 16 winners were aged four to six. Shamus Award (2013) is the only three-year-old winner since So You Think in 2009.
Sex: Mares have won seven of the last 11 runnings: Winx (four times), Lys Gracieux and Via Sistina (twice).
Jockey: James McDonald has won the last four. Hugh Bowman won four in a row before him.
Trainer: Chris Waller has won six of the last 11.
Price: 10 of the 16 winners started favourite. Pinker Pinker ($26) and Shamus Award ($21) are the only winners above $8 since 2010.
Lead-up: The Turnbull Stakes has been the key form race, producing Via Sistina (2025) and placings for most recent winners. Anamoe (2022) is the last horse to win the Might And Power and the Cox Plate.
Recent Cox Plate winners
Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Age | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2025 | Via Sistina | James McDonald | Chris Waller | 8yo mare | $2.25 |
2024 | Via Sistina | James McDonald | Chris Waller | 7yo mare | $5.00 |
2023 | Romantic Warrior | James McDonald | Danny Shum | 6yo gelding | $3.50 |
2022 | Anamoe | James McDonald | James Cummings | 4yo horse | $2.40 |
2021 | State Of Rest | John Allen | Joseph O'Brien | 4yo horse | $7.50 |
2020 | Sir Dragonet | Glen Boss | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 4yo horse | $7.50 |
2019 | Lys Gracieux | Damian Lane | Yoshito Yahagi | 6yo mare | $3.50 |
2018 | Winx | Hugh Bowman | Chris Waller | 7yo mare | $1.20 |
2017 | Winx | Hugh Bowman | Chris Waller | 6yo mare | $1.10 |
2016 | Winx | Hugh Bowman | Chris Waller | 5yo mare | $1.70 |
In 2025, Via Sistina beat Buckaroo by a short half-head, with Treasurethe Moment third, in 2:05.03 at Moonee Valley.
Cox Plate history
The Cox Plate was first run in 1922 and is named for William Samuel Cox, who founded Moonee Valley in 1883. Phar Lap won it in 1930 and 1931, and Kingston Town is the only horse to win three in a row (1980 to 1982).
Winx won four consecutive Cox Plates from 2015 to 2018, a record, and Chris Waller has trained six winners. Octagonal (1995), Savabeel (2004), So You Think (2009) and Shamus Award (2013) are the three-year-olds to have won since 1990.
This year's race leaves Moonee Valley for the first time while the course is rebuilt, moving to Flemington's wider, longer-straight 2040 metres. Prizemoney has grown to $6 million, and the race has become an international target, with Adelaide (2014), Lys Gracieux (2019), State Of Rest (2021) and Romantic Warrior (2023) winning for overseas stables. The market has centred on Sir Delius, Aeliana and the unbeaten three-year-old Warwoven since the Turnbull and the Caulfield Guineas.
Cox Plate 2026 prizemoney
1st: $4,000,000, plus trophies worth $50,000
2nd: $800,000
3rd: $500,000
4th: $250,000
5th: $150,000
6th to 8th: $100,000 each
Cox Plate 2026 frequently asked questions
When is the 2026 Cox Plate?
The 2026 Cox Plate is Race 8 at Flemington on Saturday 24 October 2026, starting at 5:10pm AEDT. It is the 106th running.
Why is the Cox Plate at Flemington this year?
Moonee Valley is closed for a major redevelopment, so the Cox Plate is being run at Flemington for the first time in its history, over 2040 metres.
Who is the favourite for the 2026 Cox Plate?
Sir Delius and Warwoven share favouritism at $4.60, with Aeliana at $4.80 and Ceolwulf at $7.00. These are Punt Hub's best displayed odds.
What are Punt Hub's tips for the 2026 Cox Plate?
Punt Hub's tip is No. 10 Aeliana, the Australian Derby, Ranvet and Tancred winner, ridden by James McDonald from barrier 10. We're against Ceolwulf.
Can a three-year-old win the Cox Plate?
Yes, but it is rare. Shamus Award in 2013 was the last, and only four three-year-olds have won since 1990. Warwoven and Blind Raise carry 49.5kg this year.
How much prizemoney is the Cox Plate worth?
The 2026 Cox Plate is worth $6,000,000 plus $50,000 in trophies, with $4,000,000 to the winner, $800,000 for second and $500,000 for third.
Who won the Cox Plate in 2025?
Via Sistina won her second Cox Plate in 2025 at $2.25 for Chris Waller and James McDonald, beating Buckaroo by a short half-head at Moonee Valley.
What is the track condition at Flemington for the Cox Plate?
Rain is forecast for Friday, with a 50% chance of showers on Saturday, so a Soft track is likely. Recheck the rating on race morning.
How many runners are in the 2026 Cox Plate?
Twelve horses will run, with no emergencies. Ciaron Maher trains four, Chris Waller two, and there are two three-year-olds.
Has James McDonald won the Cox Plate before?
Yes. He has won the last four, on Anamoe (2022), Romantic Warrior (2023) and Via Sistina (2024 and 2025). He rides Aeliana on Saturday.
How to watch the Cox Plate
Watch live on Channel 7 and stream free on 7plus. The Victoria Racing Club sells tickets for Cox Plate Day at Flemington.