We are set for one of the most highly anticipated editions of Australasia’s premier weight-for-age championship at The Valley on Saturday.
The 2023 Cox Plate has drawn a field rich with local and international flavour, and with a genuine case to be built for every single galloper, it really does shape as one to remember.
I’ve run the rule over all twelve gallopers engaged, and you can find my complete 2023 Cox Plate Tips below.
Suggested Bets
- 3 Units straight out #1 Romantic Warrior
- Boxed Trifecta of the selections below
Cox Plate – Winner
I am expecting big improvement from Hong Kong champion Romantic Warrior when he takes his place in the 2023 Cox Plate field, and I think that he will justify his favouritism.
The Acclamation gelding has won ten of his fifteen career starts to date, finishing second a further three times and finding form around some of the best middle-distance gallopers on the planet.
He was first-up into a Turnbull Stakes at Flemington at the beginning of the month, and while his condition clearly gave out late, I actually now believe that it was the perfect Cox Plate tune up.
He looked great in work at Breakfast With The Best on Tuesday, James McDonald obviously adds further confidence, and barrier 7 is more than credible.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Romantic Warrior
Cox Plate – 2nd
She has always been one of mine, but I am of the opinion that Fangirl has returned to the races in career-best form this time, and I think that she can run an enormous race in the Cox Plate.
Having recorded the second Group 1 victory of her career in the Winx Stakes first-up in August, Fangirl filled the minors in the inaugural running of the 7 Stakes last month, before giving them windburn in the Group 1 King Charles III a fortnight ago.
I can’t wait to see her out to 2040m for the first time on Saturday, and I absolutely love the booking of Zac Purton.
Suggested Bet: No. 8 Fangirl
Cox Plate – 3rd
One of the more interesting runners in the 2023 Cox Plate field is the Irish raider, Victoria Road.
Victoria Road has been a standout for leading Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien since making his debut, winning four of ten starts and placing three times.
Having won the Group 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in the United States last November, this is a horse that has absolutely relished globetrotting, and frankly, O’Brien doesn’t travel his horses unless he thinks they’ll win.
Suggested Bet: No. 10 Victoria Road
Cox Plate – 4th
The quality three-year-old Militarize will carry only 49.5kgs in the Cox Plate 2023, and that alone could see him into the winner’s stall.
The Dundeel colt really stamped himself as a star on the rise by winning two Group 1 races in succession during his two-year-old campaign, but his best performance to do was almost certainly his Golden Rose victory last month, which saw him attack the line from well back in the field.
He’s hard fit, Zac Lloyd is riding really well, and he does look to have the ability to join the likes of So You Think and Shamus Award as a three-year-old Cox Plate winner.
Suggested Bet: No. 11 Militarize
