The WS Cox Plate is a prestigious Group 1 thoroughbred horse race that has been held annually in Australia since 1922. As we look back on the last decade of Cox Plate winners, we can draw important insights and tips for those looking to bet on the race.
With the event’s reputation as one of the most challenging weight-for-age races in the world, it’s crucial to consider factors such as the horse’s age, weight, and racing experience when making your selections. We’ve seen some incredible champions over the years, including Winx.
Other top performers such as Sir Dragonet, Lys Gracieux, and Zaaki have also proven their mettle in recent years. As we look ahead to future Cox Plate races, it’s worth keeping these winners in mind as potential tips and using their winning strategies to inform your betting decisions.
Here are the Cox Plate winners from the last decade (2012-2021):
2021: Zaaki – A five-year-old gelding trained by Annabel Neasham, Zaaki won the 2021 Cox Plate by a comfortable margin, defeating a strong field that included Cox Plate runner-up Elephant and third-place finisher State of Rest.
2020: Sir Dragonet – Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Sir Dragonet won the 2020 Cox Plate in impressive fashion, taking the lead with 300 meters to go and holding off a late challenge from Armory to secure the victory.
2019: Lys Gracieux – This six-year-old mare from Japan became the first international horse to win the Cox Plate since 2014, defeating a strong field that included fellow Japanese runner Kluger.
2018: Winx – Widely regarded as one of the greatest horses of all time, Winx won her fourth Cox Plate in a row in 2018, becoming the first horse to achieve this feat. Trained by Chris Waller, the seven-year-old mare won the race by two lengths, bringing her career record to 29 consecutive victories.
2017: Winx – In 2017, Winx won her third Cox Plate in a row, defeating a strong field that included Humidor and Folkswood. The six-year-old mare won the race by a comfortable margin of 6.5 lengths, cementing her status as a racing legend.
2016: Winx – The 2016 Cox Plate saw Winx win her second consecutive title, defeating Hartnell and Yankee Rose in a dominant performance. The five-year-old mare won the race by eight lengths, setting a new race record.
2015: Winx – In 2015, Winx won her first Cox Plate, defeating a field that included Criterion and Highland Reel. The four-year-old mare won the race by two lengths, kick-starting a remarkable winning streak that would see her become one of the most successful horses in Australian racing history.
2014: Adelaide – This three-year-old colt from Ireland won the 2014 Cox Plate in a thrilling finish, defeating Fawkner by a nose. Trained by Aidan O’Brien, Adelaide became the first international horse to win the race since 2010.
2013: Shamus Award – In 2013, Shamus Award became the first maiden to win the Cox Plate since 1993, defeating Happy Trails and Fiorente in a surprise upset. Trained by Danny O’Brien, the three-year-old colt had never won a race prior to the Cox Plate.
2012: Ocean Park – Trained by Gary Hennessy, Ocean Park won the 2012 Cox Plate by a length, defeating All Too Hard and Pierro in a thrilling finish. The four-year-old gelding went on to win a number of other prestigious races, including the New Zealand Stakes and the Caulfield Stakes.
Thus, with its challenging weight-for-age conditions and a hefty prize pool of AUD$5 million, it’s important to consider various factors when making your Cox Plate betting selections. In addition to a horse’s age, weight, and racing experience, it’s essential to look at their recent form, track conditions, and jockey performance.
With the race drawing a competitive field of horses from around the world, there’s always an element of unpredictability. Ultimately, betting on the Cox Plate tips requires a combination of knowledge, strategy, and a bit of luck. As we look forward to the next Cox Plate, remember to do your research and use these Cox plate tips to finalize your betting decisions.
