Cox Plate runner-by-runner form assessments and selections

Racenet’s Clinton Payne presents his tips and form assessment for each of the runners in Saturday’s Group 1 Cox Plate at The Valley.

The $5 million Cox Plate has drawn together a field weight-for age proven gallopers from Australia, Japan and the UK along with a pair of three-year-olds.

There was a field of nine runners declared for the 2040m contest and here our form assessment of each of the runners.

Here is a runner-by-runner analysis of every horse set to line up on Saturday.

FIELDS AND FORM FOR THE VALLEY ON SATURDAY

1 – MR BRIGHTSIDE

One of Australia’s most consistent weight-for-age gallopers that went down by a whisker in the race last year. Comes into this off a second in the Caulfield Stakes last start where he had his chance. Has an excellent record at the track but is zero from six at 2000m. Winkers back on.

VERDICT: He is a genuine query at the distance. Place is best.

"Take a bow Mark Zahra!"

Deny Knowledge leads all the way in the Group 1 Might And Power! 😮@[e-mail]/5C0b092Zjz

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 12, 2024

2 – PROGNOSIS

Japanese raider that’s a proven international traveller. A three-time Group 2 winner that has form around last year’s Cox Plate winner Romantic Warrior and the best 2000m gallopers in Japan. His record at 2000m is superb, his Achilles heel is he can miss the start.

VERDICT: All things being equal, he’s a serious player.

HISTORY MADE! 🏆🏆🏆

Romantic Warrior becomes the first horse in history to win three FWD QEII Cups, soaring to an almighty success over Prognosis... @mcacajamez#FWDChampionsDay | #HKracingpic.twitter.com/GtmQrG7JNV

— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 28, 2024

3 – KOVALICA

A surprise runner which 12 months ago was touted as one of the most exciting gallopers in the land but he’s been winless in 14 starts since turning four. He’s been racing well this prep and comes into this off a solid closing second in the Hill Stakes over 1900m.

VERDICT: Of the roughies, he’s the best chance to run into third.

Attrition takes the G2 Hill Stakes in fine style!@Freedmanmitch | @beau_mertens | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/6OAKhuMgTy

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 12, 2024

4 – ROYAL PATRONAGE

Consistent imported galloper that won the Tramway Stakes over 1400m at his first Aussie start and since then has placed third at weight-for-age twice and behind Ceolwulf in the Epsom. Will make his own luck up near the speed but yet to win over the trip in two starts.

VERDICT: This will find him out.

It's Ceolwulf right down the outside in the TAB Epsom and he sails away to take the famous G1 mile for @SchofieldChad and @PrideRacing! 🏆@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/irirNeZGse

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 5, 2024

5 – DOCKLANDS

He was the runner-up in his first three runs this year, the latest in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes over the mile during the Royal Ascot meeting. Most recently, he stepped up to 2112m and was well beaten by the world’s best galloper City Of Troy in the Juddmonte International at York. His winning form has come over 1400m to 1600m.

VERDICT: Not convinced about him at 2040m.

What a start to Royal @Ascot! Charyn wins the Queen Anne Stakes! pic.twitter.com/CYVwtR8tm6

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 18, 2024

6 – PRIDE OF JENNI

Her last run at 2000m was in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes back in April where she scored a win for the ages. Won at The Valley two back, then beaten in Sydney last week over 1600m. She was a winner the only time she’s backed up in seven days and her take no prisoners racing style will make this some race.

VERDICT: This is a superstars race and she is a superstar.

Epsom winner Ceolwulf with a huge run wins the G1 King Charles III Stakes in front of a record crowd at Randwick!@PrideRacing | @SchofieldChad@aus_turf_club | @WorldPoolpic.twitter.com/28oRVnurKS

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 19, 2024

7 – VIA SISTINA

Made a statement winning the Winx Stakes first up then the wet track was blamed for her defeat in the Makybe Diva Stakes before she bounced back winning the Turnbull Stakes over 2000m at Flemington on October 5. Outstanding 2000m record but how will the trackwork incident on Tuesday affect her?

VERDICT: Has winning claims on her best form.

VIA SISTINA BACK TO HER BEST! 🔥

CHRIS WALLER QUINELLAS THE TURNBULL STAKES!@cwallerracing@[e-mail]/6sKXhFjLvD

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 5, 2024

8 – BROADSIDING

Was regarded as the best colt in the country after winning the Golden Rose but then became the latest victim of the Caulfield curse for Sydneysiders when fourth in the Caulfield Guineas. Unknown at the trip but gives every impression he’ll run it and with no weight, he can measure up.

VERDICT: He can’t be ruled out.

PRIVATE LIFE LEADS TO WIN THE 2024 CAULFIELD GUINEAS! 😮

BROADSIDING RUNS INTO 4TH...@cwallerracing@[e-mail]/sfHmp0j1XO

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 12, 2024

9 – EVAPORATE

Talented three-year-old that strung together four on end including the Group 2 Stutt Stakes (1600m) at this track. Finished third in his latest run in the Caulfield Guineas after being posted three wide early. His form is hard to fault but he has to be a query at the trip. His sire Per Incanto has never thrown a Group 1 or 2 winner beyond a mile.

VERDICT: This class and pressure at 2000m will find him out.

It's a running double for Mick Dee as Evaporate races away in the G2 Stutt Stakes 🔥@lindsayparkracepic.twitter.com/8YpQPWqzNd

— Racing.com (@Racing) September 27, 2024

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

TIPS

1st – PROGNOSIS (No. 2)

2nd – BROADSIDING (No. 8)

3rd – PRIDE OF JENNI (No. 6)

4th – VIA SISTINA (No. 7)

Originally published as Cox Plate runner-by-runner form assessments and selections