Revealed: VRC wants to break Cox Plate tradition

The 2026 Cox Plate would be at Flemington two weeks after the Melbourne Cup Carnival, under a cheeky Victoria Racing Club proposal.

The 2026 Cox Plate would be at Flemington two weeks after the Melbourne Cup Carnival, under a cheeky Victoria Racing Club proposal.

The bid is at odds with the Moonee Valley Racing Club wish to retain the prized Cox Plate date in the traditional slot between the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup carnivals.

The Valley will be closed for redevelopment after the Cox Plate next year, with plans for the new-look racecourse to reopen in 2027.

Two sources, not authorised to speak publicly, confirmed the VRC pitch for a mid-November Cox Plate.

This masthead has established the MVRC would not support a timeslot change.

The VRC push is geared on providing the best surface at Flemington for the Melbourne Cup Carnival, Australian racing’s biggest carnival, and the Cox Plate a fortnight later.

The VRC is reluctant to host a 10-event Cox Plate program at Flemington a week before 37 carnival races, including eight Group 1s.

The Cranbourne Cup, currently two weeks after the Flemington carnival, would need to be rescheduled under the VRC Cox Plate tilt.

MVRC has an active tender process, with a range of stakeholders, to re-home fixtures, from regular day and night meetings to stakes and marquee Group 1 race cards.

The MVRC would not comment on the 2026 Cox Plate, or any transferred meetings, during its ongoing expressions of interest period.

This masthead has confirmed there are no decisions made as yet, “with a lot of water to go under the bridge”, only that the VRC applied for the Cox Plate in November.

The VRC are keen to host the 2026 Cox Plate at Flemington but they want to move it. Photo: Scott Barbour/Getty Images.

Racing Victoria is closely monitoring the Cox Plate tender and remains prepared to weigh in, as required, to ensure the best possible outcome for the industry.

RV owns the race dates and is ultimately responsible for the schedule.

The Victorian spring carnival last year generated $2.9 billion in domestic wagering turnover, the lifeblood of the racing industry. Should the VRC get the nod, RV must also decide how best to fill a Cox Plate void between the Caulfield Cup and Victoria Derby Day.

The world-renowned Cox Plate, a pillar of the carnival, is one of the most prestigious races on the Australian calendar.

The 2040m Australasian weight-for-age championship, an honour roll which includes the legendary Winx, Makybe Diva, Kingston Town and Phar Lap, was first run in 1922.

MVRC has submissions from the VRC and Southside Racing to host a historic one-off Cox Plate in 2026 at either Flemington or Cranbourne respectively.

Flemington, Australia’s premier racecourse, is an obvious frontrunner.

The MVRC has commercial implications to consider, including naming rights sponsorship.

MVRC in 2022 extended a partnership with wagering giant Ladbrokes for another 10 years.

Flemington is sponsored by TAB, while Cranbourne is a Ladbrokes-backed racecourse.

MVRC last year ironically explored moving the Cox Plate to two weeks after the Melbourne Cup Carnival, in return for a huge prizemoney boost, to assist in a radical spring overhaul.

Racing administrators, past and present at Epsom Road and clubs, recognise November as a growth area, with clear air post the AFL and warmer weather.

RV last year in conjunction with the Melbourne Racing Club pushed the Group 1 Thousand Guineas and Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes to the Saturday after the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Originally published as Revealed: VRC wants to break Cox Plate tradition