The 2025 Ladbrokes Cox Plate is almost upon us and what better way to launch the festivities than with an exciting eight-race card under lights at The Valley.
Run at Group 2 level, the Ladbrokes Moonee Valley Gold Cup will headline the Cox Plate Eve program, setting the stage for a thrilling weekend of racing.
I’ve delved deep into the form and have provided my thoughts and selections below in my Ladbrokes Moonee Valley Gold Cup Night preview.
A DIVA comes off a commanding 2.5 length victory at Sale, and I think she’ll continue to rise through the grades.
The Divine Prophet mare made her long-awaited debut in August, and she did it in style with a three-length romp over the 1400m at Sale.
She was the runner up at her next two starts, one of which was on heavy going and she then bumped in the handy, Blindedbythelight, who has since one again.
She’s fit, the slight drop back to the mile won’t worry her and with even luck off the wide gate, she’s sure to make her presence felt.
| 5. A Diva (9) J: Ethan Brown 59kg 1221T: Richard Laming |
SONOFKIRK resumes off a short break.
A son of Ole Kirk, as his name suggests, the colt has shown plenty of talent in his four career starts and he looks very progressive.
He did plenty wrong when making his debut down the Flemington straight but finished off strongly to claim third and he was simply brilliant when saluting at his following start over 1000m at Caulfield.
He got back off a wide gate and made good ground late in the Vain Stakes and in the McNeil, he again got back but just finished off okay in what was a leader dominated affair.
Given an eight-week let up, he returns off two nice jump outs and gets the blinkers on for the first time.
| 1. Sonofkirk (4) J: Jamie Mott 60kg 3145T: Anthony & Sam Freedman |
AMLETO strips fitter for the two runs back and looks ready to peak.
Returning off a long layoff, he finished off well over the mile at Caulfield and out to 1700m there last start, he was always wide and exposed but showed plenty of grit to hold fourth.
The Sea The Stars gelding just had the four runs in the UK before making his way to Ciaron Maher stable and he’s shown enough in a handful of Australian starts to suggest he’ll work through his grades.
He’ll certainly relish the rise to 2040m, and the low draw can see afforded a much kinder run in transit under Ethan Brown.
| 5. Amleto (4) J: Ethan Brown 58.5kg 94×44T: Ciaron Maher |
MYTEMPTATION returned with a very encouraging effort over 1100m at Caulfield and he looks beautifully placed here at his second run back.
Always wide and exposed, the son of Squamosa fought gamely in the straight to hold on for third.
He strips fitter and has won second up previously.
Lightly raced, he’s recorded four wins from his seven career starts and the form around him is solid.
The slight rise to 1200m will suit and gate five should see him afforded every chance under Craig Williams.
| 2. Mytemptation (5) J: Craig Williams 59.5kg 164×4T: Enver Jusufovic |
FIELDELO returns to the races.
The Deep Field mare has shown plenty of talent in her five runs date and the form around her is hard to overlook.
After kicking off her career with back-to-back provincial wins, she had no trouble stepping out to Saturday metropolitan company as she finished the runner up over 1100m down the Flemington straight.
She produced a solid performance to finish fourth in the Listed Creswick behind Bridal Waltz and She’s An Artist and in heavy conditions, she was beaten only a nose in the Listed Lightning Stakes prior to a break.
She’s trialled up well and the 955m first up, looks ideal.
| 11. Fieldelo (8) J: Rhys McLeod 56.5kg 1242xT: Toby Lake |
REGAL AZMON didn’t have the best of luck when resuming over 1400m at Flemington, but he will take plenty of benefit from the run.
Settling back in the field, he worked his worked his way through in restricted room, held up momentarily, before charging late to get within 2.3 lengths of the winner.
With the added fitness, the slight rise to 1500m is ideal and he does perform well second up.
He was in fine form last campaign, putting together back-to-back wins including the Group 3 The Bart Cummings and he looks to have returned in top order.
Tom Stockdale will again do the steering for Philip Stokes, and he’ll get back and be doing his best work late.
| 1. Regal Azmon (5) J: Thomas Stockdale 60kg 114×7T: Phillip Stokes |
POST IMPRESSIONIST has been solid in all three starts this campaign and he lines up here in peak order.
He just looked in need of the run when resuming over 2530m at Flemington and second up I the Group 3 Archer Stakes, he got back and closed off nicely to finish only 2.2 lengths off the winner.
In the Herbert Power last start, the race wasn’t run to suit and he took off 800m from home and stuck on gamely to finish just 1.9 lengths away in sixth.
It’s been a long time between drinks for the former European galloper but he’s fit and racing well.
Ethan Brown stays in the saddle for Anthony and Sam Freedman and with even luck off the wide gate, he’ll be right in this.
| 6. Post Impressionist (9) J: Ethan Brown 56.5kg 8×866T: Anthony & Sam Freedman |
CATOGGIO was just run down late when resuming over 1420 at Flemington and he strips fitter for the outing.
Prepared by the Waterhouse / Bott team, the Written Tycoon gelding has contested stakes races at his past two campaigns and was triumphant in the Listed Amanda Elliot Stakes on Melbourne Cup Day last year before a solid effort to finish third in the Group 3 Blue Sapphire Stakes.
A talented galloper on his day, he’s been back to the trials since that first up run and with the inside draw, he can control the speed and give them something to catch.