W.S. Cox Plate Legend - Dulcify

When many racing fans consider their favourite Cox Plate win, one of the most popular answers is Dulcify in 1979.

It was to be champion jockey Brent ‘Babe’ Thomson’s fourth Cox Plate win in five years, a remarkable achievement with four different horses, with Dulcify his unabashed favourite for reasons outlined here.

Dulcify’s win in the Cox Plate that year is one of the most replayed finishes in history, with the gelding streaking away to win in a record margin at the time of seven lengths and to the cries of race caller Bill Collin’s saying, “Dulcify’s won by a minute, and that’s the way he might win the Melbourne Cup!”

Described as a ‘parrot-mouthed colt’ as a juvenile, Dulcify was foaled in New Zealand in 1975 and bought for a modest sum of just $NZ3,350 by trainer Colin Hayes. He was gelded early and put out into the spelling paddock until he turned three.

As a three-year-old in 1978, he made an immediate mark by winning his first race at Morphettville at odds of 300-1, followed by a second placing in the SAJC Derby. Then followed a brilliant season in which he won the Victoria Derby and the AJC Derby, the STC Rosehill Guineas, and the VRC Australian Cup in which he defeated reigning champions of the turf in Manikato and Family of Man.

Returning as a four-year-old in 1979 he won the Craiglee Stakes and Turnbull Stakes, before tackling a strong field in the W.S. Cox Plate. Dulcify started a 7/4 favourite in the race, with second favourite Shivaree a high-class galloper with impeccable credentials. On that day, however, Dulcify was in a class of his own.

Thomson and Dulcify took off around the field with 500 metres to go, saying later that he saw some of his rivals under pressure at this point, “so I let go hoping to put them under greater pressure.” He went on to blow away the field in the straight to the soundtrack of the famous Collin’s call.

Thomson, who had travelled the world and ridden some of the greats both here and in the UK, nominated Dulcify as the best horse he has ever ridden.

A week later he took out the Mackinnon Stakes and started a 3-1 favourite in the 1979 Melbourne Cup; tragedy struck when Dulcify was galloped upon during the race and broke his pelvis, and was put down.

If there was any consolation, it is that the racing public got to enjoy seeing Dulcify at his very best in the Cox Plate in an edition of the race that is still talked about. A champion that was lost too soon, but for a short time he was with us, he sure made an impact.