One of Australia’s greatest and most respected Group 1 races will be run and won at Mooney Valley today, when the 2022 WS Cox Plate takes place on what looks likely to be a wet track. Join The Roar for live race updates and commentary from 5:10pm (AEDT).
2040 metres will be distance the 12 runners travel in search of a share of the $5 million prize money. The winning connections will walk away with $3 million and all the glory and adoration that follows, after winning one of the best Group 1s in world racing.
The bookies will hold most money on four-year-old stallion Anamoe, with the highest-ranked jockey in the world James McDonald on board and a perfect barrier draw of four that should allow the best horse in Australia to track both the early moves and any changes in pace throughout the running.
Must pundits expect Alligator Blood (12) and Zaaki (1) to set the early pace from the outside and inside barriers respectively, with Anamoe almost certain to trail their speed and set himself to be in the finish down the short Mooney Valley straight.
Zaaki should enter the race as second favourite, with I’m Thunderstruck and Mr Brightside good value options for anyone thinking that the favourite is gettable.
Mo’unga ran fourth in the corresponding race last year and is not without a hope, foreigner El Bodegon is something of a mystery, yet does have solid recent form that could well see Chris Waller claim another Group 1, and there has been plenty of support for Gold Trip after his brilliant second-place finish in the Caulfield Cup last week.
Laws and Indices, Young Werther, Profondo and Maximal do look the roughies in the field and with Alligator Blood almost certain to lead at the 600 mark, will be amongst those searching for a dream run to storm into contention.
Prediction
Anamoe looks the winner, with perhaps the sketchy weather in Melbourne over the next 24 hours destined to play the most significant role in the running of the plate for 2022. He doesn’t mind wet conditions and few of the others may well prefer things much firmer under foot.
1st Anamoe
2nd I’m Thunderstruck
3rd Mr Brightside
Start: 5:10pm (AEDT)
Venue: Mooney Valley Racecourse, Melbourne
TV: Channel Seven
Live stream: 7plus
Catch all the action on The Roar‘s live coverage from 5:10pm (AEDT).
The Field and latest odds (barrier number)
1. Zaaki (1) $4.40
2. I’m Thunderstruck (10) $12
3. Alligator Blood (12) $18
4. Mr Brightside (11) $16
5. Mo’unga (9) $26
6. Gold Trip (7) $14
7. Laws of Indices (3) $34
8. Young Werther (2) $41
9. Maximal (5) $41
10. Anamoe (4) $2.40
11. Profondo (6) $71
12. El Bodegon (8) $8
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Thanks for being with me for the race and be sure to join me on the 1st of November for the Melbourne Cup live from Flemington. Today was Anamoe's day and the stallion now adds the Cox Plate to his list of Group 1 wins.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Final results of the 2022 WS Cox Plate 1st Anamoe 2nd I'm Thunderstruck 3rd El Bodegon 4th Zaaki
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Surely Anamoe heads off to stud and a list of bookings to envy? Another brilliant performance and potentially the last of his career.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
James Cummings speaking very emotionally after the race, no matter how heavy a favourite your horse is, the job still needs to be done on the day.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Anamoe returns to the mounting yard and scales, the fans knew it might happen yet are in full appreciation of the brilliance that is the best horse in the country at the present time.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Final placings 1st Anamoe 2nd I'm Thunderstruck 3rd El Bodegon 4th Zaaki
Stuart Thomas
Expert
What a brilliant performance from Anamoe. The stallion wins the WS Cox Plate, with I'm Thunderstruck and El Bodegon close but just not close enough to the champion.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Zaaki did well to hold on for fourth and all credit to I'm Thunderstruck and El Bodegon who flashed home well. However, it was Anamoe's day at the Valley!
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Anamoe wins the Cox Plate!!!!!
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Anamoe on their backs and looking for the run. ANAMOE TAKES the lead and I'm Thunderstruck and El Bodegon charge home in the minor placings.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
600 metres to run as Zaaki and Alligator Blood extend.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Status quo as they enter the back straight. Anamoe in prime position and the two speedsters look to keep up the tempo.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Profondo into third and Anamoe takes up a good position in fourth. Mr Brightside well back.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Racing in the Cox Plate. Alligator Blood and Zaaki with early speed.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
The horses are moving in. Weather holding and the race is seconds away.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Late money coming for Anamoe, this looks a certainty. Is there a shockon the cards?
Stuart Thomas
Expert
The horses are approaching the barriers, shortly they will load and then the WS Cox Plate will be run and won in short time.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Anamoe still the firm favourite as we head towards start time.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
El Bodegon is a sneaky chance with his nimbleness an asset at Moonee Valley.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Anamoe looks great, very forward and the clear favourite. Profondo is at huge odds and good luck if you back him and he wins.