We’re all set for Australia’s greatest race at Flemington on Saturday afternoon.
This will be the first time in history that we’ll see a Cox Plate contested away from The Valley, but a classic renewal of the race is imminent as a strong field meets the starter at 2040m for Australasia’s weight-for-age championship.
Read on for our Flemington tip sheet, including our 2026 Cox Plate best bets!
Ice Kool has won three of five runs this time in, and while he needed his first run back from freshen up to tune up, he was impressive in BM100 company at Warwick Farm last time out. He steps out this week a fit horse and this looks a perfect opportunity to win in Saturday metro company.
| 4. Ice Kool (8) 53.5kg11401 | |||
| Most recently favourite; ran on from midfield and won by a long-neck in a Bm100 at Warwick Farm on October 5 over 1000m on a soft track defeating Hidden Motive with 54kg at $2. Before that raced on the pace before fading ran second last of 12 in a Bm88 at Randwick on September 19 over 1100m, 6 len behind Golden Straand carrying 59kg at $4.20. Progressive sort who gets in light, go close. | |||
Barracks broke his maiden over 1200m at Rosehill when resuming last month and hit the line to only just miss in the Blue Sapphire Stakes at Caulfield last Wednesday. Fitter third-up, he should be able to find some cover from barrier 6 before calling on that big turn of speed once more.
| 4. Barracks (6)SCRATCHED: | |||
While he has only made three appearances since debuting, True Rebel broke his maiden impressive at Ladbrokes Geelong second up before working home well to only just miss behind Mister Whiskers at Caulfield last time out. With plenty of upside, getting further out in trip this week looks to suit, and he has drawn to receive the run of the race under Blake Shinn.
| 2. True Rebel (3) 57kg312 | |||
| Form hard to fault. Last start 2nd of 8 in a 3yo Bm70 at Caulfield on October 14 over 1600m, head behind Mister Whiskers with 58.5kg at $2.90. Before that favourite; won by 0.8 len in a Mdn-Sw at Geelong on September 23 over 1525m defeating Meness carrying 57kg at $1.80. Went close last time. Big run latest now gets to right trip and draws perfectly for Shinn. | |||
While yet to strike in five runs back from a break, Jacaranda has raced in consistent form around some quality opposition, and she was last seen filling the minors behind an impressive Sequinned at Caulfield. In peak order this week, Damian Lane can take her forward from the rails draw and make all of her own luck.
| 4. Jacaranda (1)SCRATCHED: | |||
He’s always been a good horse, but Jigsaw has undoubtedly gone to another level throughout the last year and steps out this week on an eight-race winning streak that includes last year’s edition of this race, two Group 1 features and a Quokka. Having returned to action a fortnight ago to lead all the way in a Group 2 Schillaci Stakes, I’m only expecting him to improve for that effort and lead all the way again.
| 2. Jigsaw (4) 58.5kg111×1 | |||
| Second-up. First-up after six months favourite; won by 1.3 len in the G2 Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield on October 10 over 1100m defeating Flying For Fun with 58.5kg at $2.25. Previously second-up favourite; won by 3.5 len in the Vobis Gold Sprint at Caulfield on March 14 over 1200m defeating She’s Bulletproof with 61kg at $2.60. Looks a huge chance to add to the winning sequence. Resumed with a bang, will be in front for a long way again. | |||
Evaporate is a horse that has always performed admirably in strong black type company without breaking through at the highest level. Having won the So You Think Stakes over 1500m at Sandown last month, he’s since finished off the pace in a couple of stronger Group 1 races, without being disgraced. There’s no doubting his fitness and condition this week, and with Craig Williams in form and jumping into the saddle, something like this looks a more appropriate target, in my opinion.
| 2. Evaporate (12)SCRATCHED: | |||
Kizlyar ended his earlier preparation this year with consecutive victories at Killarney and Royal Ascot, the latter of which saw him beat home Melbourne Cup fancy and stablemate Defiantly, while he was last seen finishing second in the Group 3 St Leger Trial at the Curragh. Bringing that form into a race like this would see him extremely difficult to beat, and he’ll carry just 56kgs; a drop of 5kgs off his latest run.
| 18. Kizlyar (6) 56kg11x2x | |||
| Resuming. Only had one start last campaign 2nd in a small field in the G3 Irish St Leger Trial Stakes at Curragh on August 22 over 2816m, 4.5 len behind Queenstown carrying 61kg at $4.30. First up last campaign ran second last of 11 in a 4yo+ Hcp at Navan on March 30 over 2816m, on heavy track; 80 len behind Mordor carrying 60.5kg at $9.50. Mixed overseas form, latest run is solid form. | |||
With a case to be made for nearly every horse in the Cox Plate field, I think it’s going to be a year for the three-year-olds, and Warwoven is the one I have on top. He’s always shown above-average ability, but Warwoven has undoubtedly gone to a whole new level this time in, breaking through for his first win at the highest level in the Golden Rose two runs back before repeating the dose in the Caulfield Guineas last time out. Obviously, this is another big rise in class, but he’s hard fit and has the runs on the board, and he’s drawn to receive every chance with just 49.5kgs in tow.
| 11. Warwoven (2) 49.5kgx5111 | |||
| Form hard to fault. Most recently favourite; came from midfield and won by 1.75 len in the G1 Caulfield Guineas on October 10 over 1600m defeating Blind Raise with 57kg at $2.40. The run before that favourite; won by 3 len in the G1 Golden Rose Stakes at Rosehill on September 26 over 1400m defeating St Gotthard with 56.5kg at $6. Very talented 3yo, draws perfectly, this is the acid test. | |||
Panova broke through for a maiden win at the highest level in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks back in April, while she was only just denied in a Queensland Oaks before going for a break. While yet to place in two runs back from a spell, both were amongst substantially stronger fields than she meets this week, and her latest run in the Toorak Handicap looked to be that of a horse crying out for further. She gets out to the 2040m this week, and with James McDonald jumping back into the saddle, I think she gets plenty of ticks.
| 2. Panova (14)SCRATCHED: | |||
Best – Race 7 No. 18 Kizlyar
Next Best – Race 2 No. 4 Barracks
Value – Race 6 No. 2 Evaporate