We have Cox Plate tips and predictions for the Group 1 2040m race at Flemington on Saturday.
Cox Plate odds have Sir Delius and Warwoven favoured to win, in what should be another classic edition of the big race.
Sir Delius is our best bet for the Cox Plate and looks the horse to beat heading into Saturday’s big one at Flemington. He has been a major player throughout the spring, and his class over the 2040m should make him tough to hold out if he gets the right run.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained star brings plenty of quality into the race, and Craig Williams taking the ride is a big plus. He has the tactical speed to put himself in a good position, which will be important in a Cox Plate being run at Flemington for the first time.
The main question is whether he gets things his own way against a competitive field, particularly with several talented runners capable of putting pressure on from the outset. However, if Williams can settle him comfortably and produce him at the right time, Sir Delius can finish over the top of them.
| 3. Sir Delius (5) 59kg31×44 | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up 4th of 10 in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes at this track on September 12 over 1600m, 4 len behind Sheza Alibi with 59kg at $5. Second run from a spell 4th of 13 in the G1 Turnbull Stakes at this track on October 3 over 2000m, on a wet track; 3.5 len behind Cosmic Crusader with 59kg at $3. Been set for this, set up is perfect, best horse in the race if he brings it. | |||
Aeliana is included in our Cox Plate predictions, and she looks like a major winning chance for Chris Waller.
The New Zealand-bred mare has shown plenty of ability throughout her career, and she looks ready to produce her best fourth-up this preparation. Her latest run at Flemington saw her finish third in the Turnbull Stakes over 2000m on a heavy track. She couldn’t get the job done, but she wasn’t far away, and the effort suggests she is close to peaking at the right time.
She also gets a handy 57kg, which could prove important against the older horses. James McDonald sticks with Aeliana, and that is a big positive. He knows her well and should be able to give her every chance to settle into the race before launching late.
| 10. Aeliana (10) 57kg1×023 | |||
| Racing well recently. Last start 3rd of 13 in the G1 Turnbull Stakes at this track on October 3 over 2000m, on a wet track; 2.75 len behind Cosmic Crusader with 57kg at $3.80. The start before that 2nd in a small field in the G2 7 Stakes at Randwick on September 19 over 1600m, 1.3 len behind Autumn Glow carrying 57kg at $21. Building beautifully, will be charging home. | |||
Birdman is our best roughie with Cox Plate tips, and looks worth a serious look at double-figure odds. The Chris Waller-trained galloper has shown he can mix it with quality opposition this spring, and there’s enough in his recent form to suggest he could give the favourites a real scare.
His Group 1 Underwood Stakes win was a standout performance, beating home a strong field and showing a sharp turn of foot over 1800m. He then finished third in the Might And Power Stakes, beaten only narrowly.
Ben Melham takes the ride from barrier 1, which is a massive positive. He should be able to save ground early, settle just behind the speed, and hopefully get the gaps when it matters.
With the Cox Plate being run at Flemington this year, that helps the likes of Birdman.
| 6. Birdman (1) 59kg1×613 | |||
| Form hard to fault. At the latest run 3rd in a small field in the G1 Might And Power Stakes at Caulfield on October 10 over 2000m, 1.4 len behind Land Legend carrying 59kg at $4.40. The run before that won by 1.75 len in the G1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield on September 19 over 1800m defeating Cosmic Crusader carrying 59kg at $6. Like the draw, can improve again and the Underwood win was dominant. | |||
Punters get value odds with our Cox Plate SRM, which includes our three selected runners.
We have Sir Delius Top 2, Aeliana Top 3, and Birdman Top 4, which pays $17 for our three-runner SRM.
They all have a good winning hope, and experience should be enough to see them figure in the finish.
| 3. Sir Delius (5) 59kg31×44 | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up 4th of 10 in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes at this track on September 12 over 1600m, 4 len behind Sheza Alibi with 59kg at $5. Second run from a spell 4th of 13 in the G1 Turnbull Stakes at this track on October 3 over 2000m, on a wet track; 3.5 len behind Cosmic Crusader with 59kg at $3. Been set for this, set up is perfect, best horse in the race if he brings it. | |||
| 6. Birdman (1) 59kg1×613 | |||
| Form hard to fault. At the latest run 3rd in a small field in the G1 Might And Power Stakes at Caulfield on October 10 over 2000m, 1.4 len behind Land Legend carrying 59kg at $4.40. The run before that won by 1.75 len in the G1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield on September 19 over 1800m defeating Cosmic Crusader carrying 59kg at $6. Like the draw, can improve again and the Underwood win was dominant. | |||
| 10. Aeliana (10) 57kg1×023 | |||
| Racing well recently. Last start 3rd of 13 in the G1 Turnbull Stakes at this track on October 3 over 2000m, on a wet track; 2.75 len behind Cosmic Crusader with 57kg at $3.80. The start before that 2nd in a small field in the G2 7 Stakes at Randwick on September 19 over 1600m, 1.3 len behind Autumn Glow carrying 57kg at $21. Building beautifully, will be charging home. | |||
Latest Cox Plate 2026 Odds
Cox Plate 2026 Odds
| 1. Ceolwulf (3) 59kg52322 | |||
| Form hard to fault. Last start 2nd in a small field in the G1 King Charles Iii Stakes at Randwick on October 17 over 1609m, slow going 2.25 len behind Autumn Glow carrying 59kg at $4.80. The race before that 2nd of 16 in the G1 Epsom Handicap at Randwick on October 3 over 1600m, on a slow track; 1.75 len behind God’s Window with 59kg at $9.50. Racing as well as ever, gets a smother and explodes late. | |||
| 2. Light Infantry Man (11) 59kg5×482 | |||
| Most recently set the pace for much of the race 2nd of 13 in the G1 Turnbull Stakes at this track on October 3 over 2000m, on rain affected going; 1.75 len behind Cosmic Crusader with 58kg at $26. Before that 8th of 10 in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes at this track on September 12 over 1600m, 5.5 len behind Sheza Alibi with 59kg at $41. Loves Flemington, was game last time, can give cheek. | |||
| 3. Sir Delius (5) 59kg31×44 | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up 4th of 10 in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes at this track on September 12 over 1600m, 4 len behind Sheza Alibi with 59kg at $5. Second run from a spell 4th of 13 in the G1 Turnbull Stakes at this track on October 3 over 2000m, on a wet track; 3.5 len behind Cosmic Crusader with 59kg at $3. Been set for this, set up is perfect, best horse in the race if he brings it. | |||
| 4. Attrition (4) 59kgx9031 | |||
| At the latest run won by a neck in the G2 Hill Stakes at Rosehill on October 10 over 1900m defeating Lindermann with 59kg at $6. Before that raced on the pace when 3rd of 8 in the G1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield on September 19 over 1800m, 4 len behind Birdman with 59kg at $101. Rock solid, good win last time, doubt he quite has the class. | |||
| 5. Cosmic Crusader (8) 59kg13214 | |||
| Most recently 4th of 18 in the G1 Caulfield Cup on October 17 over 2400m, 1.4 len behind Kingswood with 56kg at $4.80. The start before that favourite; won by 1.75 len in the G1 Turnbull Stakes at this track on October 3 over 2000m on a heavy track defeating Light Infantry Man with 58kg at $8. Not far away last start. Iron horse, the Turnbull win says he can win and he’ll be fitter than anything. | |||
| 6. Birdman (1) 59kg1×613 | |||
| Form hard to fault. At the latest run 3rd in a small field in the G1 Might And Power Stakes at Caulfield on October 10 over 2000m, 1.4 len behind Land Legend carrying 59kg at $4.40. The run before that won by 1.75 len in the G1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield on September 19 over 1800m defeating Cosmic Crusader carrying 59kg at $6. Like the draw, can improve again and the Underwood win was dominant. | |||
| 7. Land Legend (12) 59kg9×001 | |||
| At the latest run won by a head in the G1 Might And Power Stakes at Caulfield on October 10 over 2000m defeating Sheza Alibi carrying 59kg at $61. Before that 11th of 13 in the G3 Jra Cup at Caulfield on September 27 over 2000m, 9 len behind Royal Supremacy with 56.5kg at $12. Shock winner in track record time latest, not sure they’ll let him pinch this one. | |||
| 8. Middle Earth (7) 59kgx8789 | |||
| Most recently 9th of 18 in the G1 Caulfield Cup on October 17 over 2400m, 5.5 len behind Kingswood with 55kg at $61. The start before that 8th of 13 in the G1 Turnbull Stakes at this track on October 3 over 2000m, on a wet track; 10 len behind Cosmic Crusader carrying 56kg at $31. Outclassed, better suited next week in the Cup. | |||
| 9. Saint George (6) 59kg11202 | |||
| Most recently 2nd of 18 in the G1 Caulfield Cup on October 17 over 2400m, 0.5 len behind Kingswood carrying 53.5kg at $10. The race before that eased back early on 10th of 13 in the G1 Turnbull Stakes at this track on October 3 over 2000m, on rain affected going; 11 len behind Cosmic Crusader with 55kg at $13. Doubt he’s good enough. | |||
| 10. Aeliana (10) 57kg1×023 | |||
| Racing well recently. Last start 3rd of 13 in the G1 Turnbull Stakes at this track on October 3 over 2000m, on a wet track; 2.75 len behind Cosmic Crusader with 57kg at $3.80. The start before that 2nd in a small field in the G2 7 Stakes at Randwick on September 19 over 1600m, 1.3 len behind Autumn Glow carrying 57kg at $21. Building beautifully, will be charging home. | |||
| 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. | |||
| 12. Blind Raise (9) 49.5kg9×112 | |||
| Racing well recently. Last start held ground to the line 2nd of 11 in the G1 Caulfield Guineas on October 10 over 1600m, 1.75 len behind Warwoven carrying 57kg at $3.10. The start before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 2.75 len in the G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude on September 19 over 1400m defeating Tornado Valley with 57kg at $2.40. Very brave in the Guineas, wouldn’t surprise if he measured right up. | |||