100 Days to go until the 100th Ladbrokes Cox Plate
The countdown to Ladbrokes Cox Plate 100 has begun, with ‘The Race Where Legends Are Made’ now just 100 days away. A century in the making, the W.S. Cox Plate features an honour roll of the greatest horses that have graced the Australian turf. On Saturday 24 October, a new Legend will be crowned at The Valley.
The 2020 Ladbrokes Cox Plate will carry prizemoney of $5m, making it the richest Group 1 Weight-For-Age race in Australia and the richest turf Group 1 Weight-For-Age race in the world over 2000 metres.
Added riches are on offer with the Ladbrokes Cox Plate Boost Series offering a lucrative bonus of $1m. The Ladbrokes Cox Plate Boost Series includes ten local lead-up races as well as two highly prestigious international races, with the winner of each race eligible for a $1m bonus should they win the 2020 Ladbrokes Cox Plate.
The MVRC has commissioned a special commemorative trophy for Cox Plate 100. The 2020 Ladbrokes Cox Plate winning owner will be presented with a 9 carat solid gold trophy valued at more than $200,000.
“The 2020 Ladbrokes Cox Plate will be the pinnacle of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival,” said Don Casboult, MVRC Chairman.
“The W.S. Cox Plate is Australasia’s Weight-For-Age Championship and is widely regarded as our most prestigious race. The celebration of the 100th running of the W.S. Cox Plate will see the Club honour our past champions, with horses such as Phar Lap, Tulloch, Kingston Town, Bonecrusher, Sunline and, of course, Winx all becoming Legends through their deeds at The Valley and in the Cox Plate” said Casboult.
Under the revamped conditions for the 2020 Ladbrokes Cox Plate, the only ‘Golden Ticket’ on offer this year will be through the Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at The Valley on Saturday 5 September. The winner of the Feehan Stakes will be ballot exempt into the Ladbrokes Cox Plate. The Feehan Stakes forms part of the Ladbrokes Cox Plate Boost Series, with the winner racing for a first prize of $4m should they go on to win the Ladbrokes Cox Plate.
The MVRC continues to work closely with Racing Victoria to attract the leading international contenders to Melbourne for the Spring Racing Carnival. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, travel and quarantine arrangements are yet to be finalised for key international jurisdictions including Japan and Europe.
Nominations for the 2020 Ladbrokes Cox Plate close on Tuesday 4 August. Following the close of nominations and depending on the advice regarding travel and quarantine arrangements, the MVRC will review all international horses that are nominated before finalising international invitations for the Ladbrokes Cox Plate.
Chrono Genesis has confirmed her invitation following her impressive victory in the Group 1 Takarazuka Kinen in Japan last month. With the Takarazuka Kinen also included in the Ladbrokes Cox Plate Boost Series, Chrono Genesis will be looking to emulate Lys Gracieux in winning the Takarazuka Kinen – Cox Plate double.
Hospitality packages for the 2020 Ladbrokes Cox Plate Carnival will go on-sale once there is more certainty with the return of spectators to racing.