The 2022 Ladbrokes Cox Plate trophy will travel around Australia and New Zealand
“I think there is no doubt that in our next Cup program we will be able to have a good weight-for-age race. I think you will all be glad to hear that.” MVRC Chairman Alister Clark, 1921.
With that, the first official reference to what became Australasia’s premier Weight-For-Age race came into force.
The first edition of the W.S. Cox Plate was in 1922, run over nine and a half furlongs and won by Violincello. One hundred years later, we reflect on the legendary moments, the champions, and the heroes – equine and human – that have played their part in making the W.S. Cox Plate, Australia’s Best Race.
Our Ladbrokes Cox Plate Tour will see us take our iconic trophy to different parts of Australia that have a connection with the history of our great race. It will be a chance not only to engage with racing fans but also to showcase the Cox Plate to a new audience.
The Ladbrokes Cox Plate Tour will kick off this Sunday in Hobart at Ladbrokes Park, Elwick. The tour will also see us travel to selected race meetings in Western Australia, Queensland, South Australia, the Northern Territory and New Zealand. Each state has their own story to tell, and each location holds a special piece in the rich history of the Cox Plate.
Keep an eye on The Valley’s social pages for the latest Tour updates and how you can get your hands on the Ladbrokes Cox Plate.
“Each Tour event will include giveaways, special appearances and the opportunity for a photo with the Ladbrokes Cox Plate and to go in the running to win an all-inclusive experience at this year’s Ladbrokes Cox Plate Carnival.” MVRC Strategic Marketing Manager Troy Ratcliffe.
The fighting tiger Northerly put Western Australia on the map with his two wins in the W.S. Cox Plate in 2001 and 2002, and their best horses have regularly measured up in the east ever since. Could we see another Western Australian raider take centre stage this year donning the famous silks of Bob Peters?
From Queensland, the mighty Gunsynd stamped his authority as one of our finest winners in 1972. One of the most popular horses in Australian Racing History, he was donned ‘The Goondiwindi Grey,’ and made his small hometown famous for his achievements on the racetrack. His statue stands proud and tall along the Macintrye river in Goondiwindi.
The W.S. Cox Plate’s greatest trainer and greatest horse both heralded from Sydney. Legendary trainer TJ Smith’s feat of seven Cox Plate victories will be hard to surpass even in the next 100 years, while the same can be said for the four consecutive Cox Plates of Winx which still feel like yesterday.
And while it is Australia’s Best Race, the W.S. Cox Plate has had a longstanding affiliation with our neighbouring country New Zealand – where still to this day the kiwis continue to produce winners on and off the track. Phar Lap, Dulcify, Bonecrusher, Octagonal, Might and Power, Sunline and So You Think. Each a champion of their own era and each well deserving of their fall of fame status.
With the addition of international winners in the past decade – every state, territory and country will descend to The Valley to try and win the Ladbrokes Cox Plate on Saturday 22 October.
To stay across the latest updates from the Ladbrokes Cox Plate Tour please head to https://www.thevalley.com.au/.