Cox Plate auctioned for bushfire recovery
It’s one of the most iconic trophies in sport and was won in dramatic fashion. Now owners of the 1992 Cox Plate have pledged the award to raise money for bushfire recovery.
A special piece of Australian sporting history will be auctioned to raise much needed money for Victoria’s bushfire recovery.
Owners of the 1992 Cox Plate won by legendary racehorse Super Impose have decided to donate the iconic trophy to help rebuild and protect fire ravaged regions.
Inspired by Shane Warne’s decision to part with his cherished Baggy Green cap for the cause, managing owner Chris Biggins has pledged the plate to the highest bidder and challenged Australians to dig deep.
“If they got $1 million for Shane Warne’s cap, my question is ‘what is a Cox Plate worth?’.’ he said.
“We are prepared to kick in our Cox Plate.
“What is the racing industry prepared to do?’’
The famous trophy – handed over after one of the greatest and closest Cox Plate runs which ended in a photo finish – has taken pride of place in a private collection for 28 years.
But owners hope wealthy Australians or even a betting company buy it to help fund new fire trucks, fences, infrastructure and drones to spot future Victorian fires.
Mr Biggins said he would work personally with firefighters in Omeo, Swifts Creek and Benambra to ensure money raised went directly to the cause.
“No bureaucracy, no committees, no bloody politicians having any say in it,’’ he said.
Mr Biggins said Warne’s Baggy Green – purchased by the Commonwealth Bank and donated to the Bradman Museum – was a “classic example’’ of fundraising for a good cause.
He said the 1992 Cox Plate held special significance.
“That’s probably the strongest field ever because every horse in it was a Group One winner and most of them were multiple Group One winners, which is very unusual,’’ he said.
And he hoped donating it raised “a substantial amount of money.’’
“What’s a Cox Plate worth as a gift to the firefighting appeal,’’ he said.
“We want to say where the money goes because we don’t want it to go into a can and never be seen or heard of again.’’
Moonee Valley Racing Club chief executive Michael Browell supported the bid “to raise as much money as possible’’ and hoped “to see some strong bidding”.
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“It’s a unique piece of sporting memorabilia and I commend Chris Biggins and the owners of Super Impose on the amazing gesture that will raise much needed funds for the bushfire appeal,’’ he said.
Details of how to bid will be announced this week with a $100,000 reserve likely to be set.
“We think five times that should be raised,’’ Mr Biggins said.
“The challenge is for the racing industry to put up as much money as they feel they are prepared to.’’
Originally published as Cox Plate auctioned for bushfire recovery
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