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The Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) will be held at The Valley on Saturday, October 23 and Bettingpro.com.au provides you with a comprehensive guide to the race.
The Cox Plate 2026. Australasia’s weight-for-age championship — a $6 million Group 1 over 2040m — runs on Saturday 24 October 2026, and for the first time in its history it will be staged at Flemington rather than its spiritual home, The Valley. This is our complete Cox Plate guide: the 2026 date and start times, the historic venue change, the field, tips and best bets, live odds, the form guide, how to watch, past winners and FAQs — updated through the spring with the latest field, odds and our best bets.
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The Cox Plate 2026: Key Details
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Race | Ladbrokes Cox Plate (Group 1, WFA) |
| Date | Saturday 24 October 2026 |
| Start time | ~4:45pm AEDT (confirmed race week) |
| Venue | Flemington Racecourse (first time ever — The Valley under redevelopment) |
| Distance | 2040m |
| Conditions | Weight-for-age, 3yo & up |
| Prize money | $6 million |
| Broadcast | Channel 7 / 7plus, Racing.com, Sky Racing + bookmaker streams |
When is the Cox Plate & What Time?
The Cox Plate is run on the fourth Saturday of October — in 2026 that’s Saturday 24 October, headlining a nine-race program, with the feature jumping in the late afternoon (approximately 4:45pm AEDT; the exact time is confirmed race week). Local start times by state:
| State | Local start time |
|---|---|
| VIC / NSW / ACT / TAS | ~4:45pm AEDT |
| Queensland | ~3:45pm AEST |
| South Australia | ~4:15pm ACDT |
| Northern Territory | ~3:15pm ACST |
| Western Australia | ~1:45pm AWST |
The 2026 Venue Change: Cox Plate at Flemington
For the first time since it began in 1922, the Cox Plate moves away from Moonee Valley — The Valley is closed for at least 21 months from November 2025 for a major redevelopment, and Racing Victoria has confirmed Flemington as the 2026 host (the distance stays at 2040m). It’s a significant shift for punters: the Valley is a tight, turning, on-pace circuit where the draw and tactical speed are everything, whereas Flemington is a big, galloping, fair track with a long straight. Expect that to suit horses with a strong turn of foot and to reduce the “Valley specialist” edge that has shaped so many past results. We’ll factor the new track into every tip and form line this spring.
The Cox Plate 2026 Field & Barrier Draw
The Cox Plate is a select weight-for-age field, typically capped around 14 runners, drawn from the very best middle-distance horses in the country plus international raiders. The field firms through the spring as the major lead-ups are run. On the barrier draw, Flemington’s wide, fair layout takes some of the sting out of a bad gate compared with the Valley, but tactical speed and a clean run still matter in a small, class-laden field. Check back for the confirmed 2026 field and barriers.
Cox Plate Tips, Best Bets & Predictions
Our tipsters post their Cox Plate best bets and value selections once the field and barriers are confirmed. As the weight-for-age championship, the race rewards proven elite form at 2000m, a strong recent lead-up and a horse that can quicken off a genuine tempo — and in 2026 the move to Flemington adds a fresh tactical layer. Win and each-way are the staples in a small field; the quinella and first-four are playable when the market is top-heavy. Bookmark this page for our final selections.
How to Bet on the Cox Plate
The Cox Plate offers all the standard racing markets — win and each-way, plus exotics (quinella, exacta, trifecta and first-four) that suit a small, class field. Futures markets open months out and move with each lead-up run. Always shop around: prices vary between bookmakers, and taking the best available can add real value over a carnival. Compare the leading Australian bookmakers in our toplist below.
Cox Plate Odds & Favourites
Cox Plate markets are framed early and shorten through the spring carnival as the lead-ups are run and the field takes shape. As a true championship race it is usually dominated by proven Group 1 performers — Via Sistina was a dual winner in 2024–25 — but a small, strongly run field can still throw up a surprise. For live Cox Plate odds and the best price on every runner, compare the bookmakers below.
Cox Plate Form Guide
The key lead-ups are the spring weight-for-age and middle-distance features — the Turnbull Stakes, Caulfield Stakes, Underwood Stakes and Toorak Handicap — along with international form from the likes of Hong Kong (Romantic Warrior won in 2023). Look for a horse with proven 2000m class, a sharp turn of foot and a clean recent campaign, and weigh up how the switch to Flemington reshapes the contest. The Cox Plate sits within the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, between the Caulfield Cup and the Melbourne Cup.
Cox Plate Recent Winners & 2025 Result
The 2025 Cox Plate was won by Via Sistina, who held off stablemate Buckaroo in a thrilling finish to become the first horse since Winx to win back-to-back Cox Plates. Recent winners:
| Year | Winner | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Via Sistina | Back-to-back — first since Winx |
| 2024 | Via Sistina | Dominant WFA mare |
| 2023 | Romantic Warrior | Hong Kong superstar |
| 2022 | Anamoe | Star colt’s crowning win |
| 2021 | State Of Rest | Irish raider upset |
History & The Roll of Honour
First run in 1922 and named after Moonee Valley founder William Samuel Cox, the Cox Plate is regarded as the weight-for-age championship of Australasia — the race where the best meet the best at level weights. Its roll of honour is the sport’s finest: Winx won four straight (2015–18), Kingston Town three (1980–82), and champions from Sunline to So You Think to Might And Power line the honour board. The 2026 running is historic for another reason — the first ever held away from The Valley. It remains the spring’s great test of class alongside the Melbourne Cup.
How to Watch the Cox Plate (Live Stream & TV)
The Cox Plate is shown free-to-air on Channel 7 and 7plus, plus Racing.com and Sky Racing, and you can live stream the race free with most licensed Australian bookmakers once your account is funded. Replays are available on Racing.com shortly after the race.
Best Bookmakers for the Cox Plate
For a full comparison of the top Australian racing bookmakers — best odds, futures and live streaming — see our best horse racing betting sites in Australia guide.
#AD 18+ T&Cs Apply Imagine what you could be buying instead. For free & confidential support call 180 0858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
#AD 18+ T&Cs Apply Imagine what you could be buying instead. For free & confidential support call 180 0858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
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Cox Plate FAQs
When is the Cox Plate 2026?
Saturday 24 October 2026 — and for the first time ever it is run at Flemington, over 2040m.
Why is the Cox Plate at Flemington in 2026?
The Valley (Moonee Valley) is closed for at least 21 months from November 2025 for a major redevelopment, so Racing Victoria moved the 2026 race to Flemington.
What time is the Cox Plate?
Late afternoon — approximately 4:45pm AEDT — with the exact jump time confirmed race week.
How much is the Cox Plate worth?
$6 million in 2026.
Who won the 2025 Cox Plate?
Via Sistina — becoming the first horse since Winx to win back-to-back Cox Plates.
What distance is the Cox Plate?
2040m, weight-for-age, for horses aged three and over.
How can I watch the Cox Plate?
Free-to-air on Channel 7 and 7plus, plus Racing.com and Sky Racing, with free live streams via most bookmakers.
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