Cox Plate 2020: Turf legends collide in virtual showdown to celebrate 100 years
There’s never been a Cox Plate like this. From modern-day superstar Winx to the legendary Phar Lap and unbeatable European colossus Frankel, the greatest turf star of all time will finally be decided.
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How would Australia’s Cox Plate queen, Winx have measured up against unbeaten European superstar Frankel?
Could the mighty Phar Lap have dominated today as he did when he carried the nation through the depths of The Great Depression?
Or, would Might and Power shoot straight to the front and leave the rest in his dust?
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These questions and many others have been debated across racecourses and pubs for years and now they will be answered when the best middle-distance horses from across eras and around the world are brought together in the Ladbrokes Greatest Ever Cox Plate.
In an Australian first, Ladbrokes has partnered with Racing Victoria and the Moonee Valley Racing Club to produce a virtual race that will pay homage to the history of the Cox Plate and help celebrate its 100th running on Saturday, October 24
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Built by Inspired Entertainment, which is regarded as the world’s pre-eminent virtual sports developer, the race will feature a star-studded 14-strong field of champions including Australian racing icons Winx, Kingston Town and Phar Lap.
An expert panel, including Racing Victoria handicapper Greg Carpenter, Ladbrokes Australia chief Dean Shannon, MVRC boss Michael Browell and Timeform Australia chief Gary Crispe, voted on the best 11 Cox Plate champions from a shortlist of 30 winners.
In a move expected to add to the debate, three international wildcards were included in the field, headlined by Champion of Europe, Frankel, American legend Secretariat and Japanese super sire Deep Impact.
Legendary trainer TJ Smith has three runners in the race that will be called by Matt Hill on October 23 live on 7Two and simulcast on Ladbrokes channels.
“At Ladbrokes we are racing fanatics,” Shannon said. “We love the sport’s history, and as the major partner of the Ladbrokes Cox Plate, we wanted to produce something that served as an appropriate tribute to the 100th running of the great race.
“We can’t wait to see how some of the great champions of the past stack up against the likes of Winx, and we hope by introducing Secretariat, Deep Impact and Frankel to the mix it will only add to the intrigue and interest.”
Carpenter said selecting the field had been no easy task.
“The eleven voted in are all champions and worthy to be in the field,” Carpenter said.
“But there are the ones that didn’t make it, Rising Fast, Ajax, even a horse like Octagonal, it was very difficult.
“As with all these things, there’s going to be a lot of discussion, more about the ones omitted than the ones that made it in the field.
“Rising Fast, I think, would be one of the great champions that missed out, Bonecrusher, that race itself is one of the great Cox Plates.
“It’s going to be intriguing to see how they factor in the three international horses, in particular Secretariat, who performed on dirt and the quality of his winning performances was simply extraordinary.”
Inspired Entertainment has produced exact modelling of the iconic Valley circuit using detailed imagery and drone footage.
It also produced horse-by-horse builds which replicate jockey silks, horse colours and distinctive markings.
Detailed speed maps and historical footage were used to put together accurate racing patterns.
The race will be determined on the basis of historical data and a specially produced Timeform rating, which has been imputed into the Inspired Entertainment algorithm.
The UK-based company has already delivered a virtual Kentucky Derby and fantasy Grand National this year to international acclaim.
HOW TO BET ON THE BIG VIRTUAL RACE
Betting on the virtual greatest two minutes in sport will be available to Ladbrokes customers through an exclusive market.
To meet regulatory requirements the market will be restricted to a maximum $20 fixed win bet and will not be available in some states.
To ensure the credibility and integrity of the race, no one at Ladbrokes will be able to view the race or the result before it runs live on 7Two on Friday, October 23.
The race and its result will be based on historical data, which recognised form experts Timeform have researched and built out to create a designated rating for each horse.
This data and a fixed starting price will be added to race creator Inspired Entertainment‘s algorithm to deliver the race result.
Ladbrokes will not know the outcome until the race is run and won.
“We expect this race to spark great debate and opinion, and ultimately Aussies love to back their opinion,” Ladbrokes spokesman Karl deKroo said.
“Offering a novelty wagering market on the race, in the states where regulatory conditions allow, was an important component for us to allow our customers to fully engage in what promises to be a great spectacle and great race.
“We have gone to significant lengths to ensure the integrity and credibility of the race, and it is wonderful to have the support and backing of Racing Victoria and Moonee Valley Racing Club in helping to bring it to life.”
WHAT ABOUT THE REAL STUFF?
If the virtual race is a Cox Plate like no other, then the real-life event will be something special on AFL Grand Final Day.
Australasia’s weight-for-age is known as “the race where legends are made” and each year attracts the best WFA horses from both Australia and overseas.
Named in honour of W.S. Cox who founded the Melbourne Racing Club, the Group 1 Ladbrokes Cox Plate is run at Moonee Valley in Melbourne each spring over 2040m
The latest edition of the Ladbrokes Cox Plate runs on Saturday October 24, 2020.
Irish raider Russian Camelot is the horse to beat, but there is no shortage of stars lining up to take the $5 million race.