The Spring Carnival is now in full swing, and the excitement is set to intensify this Saturday with the running of the Ladbrokes Cox Plate.
For most racing enthusiasts, the pinnacle is the Melbourne Cup but ask any trainer which race they’d most love to win, and many will say the Cox Plate.
History shows that it takes a very special kind of thoroughbred to win this race and the honour roll is like no other, an elite list littered with champions. The best of the best.
The number one weight-for-age event on the Australian Racing Calendar, the W.S Cox Plate was first run in 1922 and this year, for the first time in the race’s steep history, it will be contested away from Moonee Valley.
This year’s edition will be staged at Flemington, where a quality field of twelve runners will assemble as they look to have their names etched in racing history.
I’ve narrowed it down to my top four selections, with the reasoning behind each outlined below in my exclusive Ladbrokes Cox Plate 2026 tips and best bets.
Joe Pride has long regarded CEOLWULF (1) as a genuine Cox Plate contender, and this year the gelding gets his chance to prove that when he lines up in the time-honoured race for the first time.
A four-time Group 1 winner, the son of Tavistock is racing in top form and will arrive in on the quick back-up after a strong effort to finish second behind Autumn Glow in the King Charles Stakes.
He encountered a chequered passage in the Epsom at his previous start but closed strongly to finish second. Last Saturday, with the blinkers back on, he was unsuited by the small field but travelled comfortably and finished strongly, once again giving every indication that he is looking to step up to this journey.
His only run here at headquarters saw him take out the Champion Mile here last year and if the rain comes, we’ll see him at his absolute best.
| 1. Ceolwulf (3) 59kg52322 | |||
| Form hard to fault. Last start 2nd in a small field in the G1 King Charles Iii Stakes at Randwick on October 17 over 1609m, slow going 2.25 len behind Autumn Glow carrying 59kg at $4.80. The race before that 2nd of 16 in the G1 Epsom Handicap at Randwick on October 3 over 1600m, on a slow track; 1.75 len behind God’s Window with 59kg at $9.50. Racing as well as ever, gets a smother and explodes late. | |||
AELIANA (10) is one of only two runners representing the Chris Waller stable as the champion trainer pursues a seventh victory in the race. A high-class mare, the daughter of Castelvecchio has been competitive at the top level throughout her career and like a fine win, she appears to be getting better with age.
She finished sixth in last year’s edition, five lengths behind her then stablemate Via Sistina, however, she encountered plenty of trouble in the run and arguably should have finished much closer.
Now fourth-up, she looks set to peak. The race being held at Flemington is certainly in her favour and like Ceoulwulf, if there is rain about, it will only enhance her chance. James McDonald’s affiliation with the mare is hard to ignore, with four wins and a runner up finish from just five rides.
| 10. Aeliana (10) 57kg1×023 | |||
| Racing well recently. Last start 3rd of 13 in the G1 Turnbull Stakes at this track on October 3 over 2000m, on a wet track; 2.75 len behind Cosmic Crusader with 57kg at $3.80. The start before that 2nd in a small field in the G2 7 Stakes at Randwick on September 19 over 1600m, 1.3 len behind Autumn Glow carrying 57kg at $21. Building beautifully, will be charging home. | |||
SIR DELIUS (3) is unbeaten in three third-up appearances and with the two runs under his belt this campaign, he looks set to peak. Prepared by the Waterhouse / Bott team, the UK bred galloper has shown an abundance of talent since his arrival from France and although he may not appear to be going as well as he was last year, he has been set specifically for this race and I have no doubt he’ll be spot on for the occasion.
He didn’t have the easiest of runs when resuming in the Makybe Diva Stakes, but it was a solid performance to finish fourth. Out to 2000m last start in the Turnbull, he was the chaser as Light Infantry Man set a slick tempo in front but again, it was a good, honest effort. He will have taken further improvement from the run and if the track remains on the firmer side, he’ll be at his best.
| 3. Sir Delius (5) 59kg31×44 | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up 4th of 10 in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes at this track on September 12 over 1600m, 4 len behind Sheza Alibi with 59kg at $5. Second run from a spell 4th of 13 in the G1 Turnbull Stakes at this track on October 3 over 2000m, on a wet track; 3.5 len behind Cosmic Crusader with 59kg at $3. Been set for this, set up is perfect, best horse in the race if he brings it. | |||
WARWOVEN (11) heads into the race chasing a hat-trick of Group 1 victories. The Bjorn Baker trained colt could not have been more impressive when taking out the Golden Rose and given the run of the race last time in the Caulfield Guineas, he showed his class in the closing stages, digging deep to power clear and score by just under two lengths.
He gives every indication that the 2040m journey will be within his reach, and with just 49.5kg on his back, he looks set for another exciting performance.
| 11. Warwoven (2) 49.5kgx5111 | |||
| Form hard to fault. Most recently favourite; came from midfield and won by 1.75 len in the G1 Caulfield Guineas on October 10 over 1600m defeating Blind Raise with 57kg at $2.40. The run before that favourite; won by 3 len in the G1 Golden Rose Stakes at Rosehill on September 26 over 1400m defeating St Gotthard with 56.5kg at $6. Very talented 3yo, draws perfectly, this is the acid test. | |||
Ladbrokes Cox Plate Big Bets
Ladbrokes Cox Plate 2026 Odds
| 1. Ceolwulf (3) 59kg52322 | |||
| Form hard to fault. Last start 2nd in a small field in the G1 King Charles Iii Stakes at Randwick on October 17 over 1609m, slow going 2.25 len behind Autumn Glow carrying 59kg at $4.80. The race before that 2nd of 16 in the G1 Epsom Handicap at Randwick on October 3 over 1600m, on a slow track; 1.75 len behind God’s Window with 59kg at $9.50. Racing as well as ever, gets a smother and explodes late. | |||
| 2. Light Infantry Man (11) 59kg5×482 | |||
| Most recently set the pace for much of the race 2nd of 13 in the G1 Turnbull Stakes at this track on October 3 over 2000m, on rain affected going; 1.75 len behind Cosmic Crusader with 58kg at $26. Before that 8th of 10 in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes at this track on September 12 over 1600m, 5.5 len behind Sheza Alibi with 59kg at $41. Loves Flemington, was game last time, can give cheek. | |||
| 3. Sir Delius (5) 59kg31×44 | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up 4th of 10 in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes at this track on September 12 over 1600m, 4 len behind Sheza Alibi with 59kg at $5. Second run from a spell 4th of 13 in the G1 Turnbull Stakes at this track on October 3 over 2000m, on a wet track; 3.5 len behind Cosmic Crusader with 59kg at $3. Been set for this, set up is perfect, best horse in the race if he brings it. | |||
| 4. Attrition (4) 59kgx9031 | |||
| At the latest run won by a neck in the G2 Hill Stakes at Rosehill on October 10 over 1900m defeating Lindermann with 59kg at $6. Before that raced on the pace when 3rd of 8 in the G1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield on September 19 over 1800m, 4 len behind Birdman with 59kg at $101. Rock solid, good win last time, doubt he quite has the class. | |||
| 5. Cosmic Crusader (8) 59kg13214 | |||
| Most recently 4th of 18 in the G1 Caulfield Cup on October 17 over 2400m, 1.4 len behind Kingswood with 56kg at $4.80. The start before that favourite; won by 1.75 len in the G1 Turnbull Stakes at this track on October 3 over 2000m on a heavy track defeating Light Infantry Man with 58kg at $8. Not far away last start. Iron horse, the Turnbull win says he can win and he’ll be fitter than anything. | |||
| 6. Birdman (1) 59kg1×613 | |||
| Form hard to fault. At the latest run 3rd in a small field in the G1 Might And Power Stakes at Caulfield on October 10 over 2000m, 1.4 len behind Land Legend carrying 59kg at $4.40. The run before that won by 1.75 len in the G1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield on September 19 over 1800m defeating Cosmic Crusader carrying 59kg at $6. Like the draw, can improve again and the Underwood win was dominant. | |||
| 7. Land Legend (12) 59kg9×001 | |||
| At the latest run won by a head in the G1 Might And Power Stakes at Caulfield on October 10 over 2000m defeating Sheza Alibi carrying 59kg at $61. Before that 11th of 13 in the G3 Jra Cup at Caulfield on September 27 over 2000m, 9 len behind Royal Supremacy with 56.5kg at $12. Shock winner in track record time latest, not sure they’ll let him pinch this one. | |||
| 8. Middle Earth (7) 59kgx8789 | |||
| Most recently 9th of 18 in the G1 Caulfield Cup on October 17 over 2400m, 5.5 len behind Kingswood with 55kg at $61. The start before that 8th of 13 in the G1 Turnbull Stakes at this track on October 3 over 2000m, on a wet track; 10 len behind Cosmic Crusader carrying 56kg at $31. Outclassed, better suited next week in the Cup. | |||
| 9. Saint George (6) 59kg11202 | |||
| Most recently 2nd of 18 in the G1 Caulfield Cup on October 17 over 2400m, 0.5 len behind Kingswood carrying 53.5kg at $10. The race before that eased back early on 10th of 13 in the G1 Turnbull Stakes at this track on October 3 over 2000m, on rain affected going; 11 len behind Cosmic Crusader with 55kg at $13. Doubt he’s good enough. | |||
| 10. Aeliana (10) 57kg1×023 | |||
| Racing well recently. Last start 3rd of 13 in the G1 Turnbull Stakes at this track on October 3 over 2000m, on a wet track; 2.75 len behind Cosmic Crusader with 57kg at $3.80. The start before that 2nd in a small field in the G2 7 Stakes at Randwick on September 19 over 1600m, 1.3 len behind Autumn Glow carrying 57kg at $21. Building beautifully, will be charging home. | |||
| 11. Warwoven (2) 49.5kgx5111 | |||
| Form hard to fault. Most recently favourite; came from midfield and won by 1.75 len in the G1 Caulfield Guineas on October 10 over 1600m defeating Blind Raise with 57kg at $2.40. The run before that favourite; won by 3 len in the G1 Golden Rose Stakes at Rosehill on September 26 over 1400m defeating St Gotthard with 56.5kg at $6. Very talented 3yo, draws perfectly, this is the acid test. | |||
| 12. Blind Raise (9) 49.5kg9×112 | |||
| Racing well recently. Last start held ground to the line 2nd of 11 in the G1 Caulfield Guineas on October 10 over 1600m, 1.75 len behind Warwoven carrying 57kg at $3.10. The start before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 2.75 len in the G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude on September 19 over 1400m defeating Tornado Valley with 57kg at $2.40. Very brave in the Guineas, wouldn’t surprise if he measured right up. | |||