Cox Plate 2021: Who won, replay, prize money, betting odds

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State of Rest wins Cox Plate 2021

The 2021 edition of the Group 1 Cox Plate will be held on Saturday 23rd October at Moonee Valley, capping off a big weekend that also includes the Group 1 Manikato Stakes on the Friday night.

Last year saw Sir Dragonet win the race, while Japanese mare Lys Gracieux won in 2019.

Here's everything you need to know about the 2021 Cox Plate. 

STATE OF REST WINS AFTER TENSE PROTEST

After a dramatic nose-to-nose finish alongside Anamoe that led to a protest, State of Rest has officially claimed the 2021 Cox Plate.

The Joseph O'Brien-trained four-year-old got a peach of a ride from another Irishman in John Allen and managed to hold off Craig Williams' mount.

In the State Of Rest's first outing on Australian soil, the colt had to wait 45 minutes for a protest to be dismissed before being declared the winner.

Nine-time Group 1 winner Verry Elleegant finished third for Chris Waller and Damien Lane.

Watch a replay of the epic finish to the race below

WHAT TIME IS THE 2021 COX PLATE?

The 2021 Cox Plate will take place on Saturday 23rd October at Moonee Valley Racecourse.

Set to jump at 5:10pm , the Cox Plate is the ninth of 10 races on the card.

The Cox Plate is considered the second of the 'Big 3' Melbourne Spring Majors, following the Caulfield Cup and preceding the Melbourne Cup.

The Cox Plate was first held in 1922 and is named in honour of the founder of Moonee Valley Racecourse, William Samuel Cox.

WHAT IS THE PRIZE MONEY FOR THE COX PLATE?

The prizemoney for the Group 1 Cox Plate is $5 million, in which the winner takes home $3 million.

HOW TO WATCH THE COX PLATE?

The 2021 Cox Plate will be broadcast nationally on  Channel 7. 

Sky Racing  will also broadcast the big race, given its extensive history of showing the Spring Carnival's major races.

WHAT CONDITIONS IS THE COX PLATE RUN UNDER?

The Cox Plate is a Group 1 WFA handicap race for horses aged three or older, run over 2040m.

The final field is determined by the Moonee Valley Race Club Committee, with consideration given to international ratings, provided by the International Federation of Horse Racing Authorities, and ANZ classifications (plus interim ratings), produced by Racing Victoria's Chief Handicapper. 

The field is limited to 14 starters with four emergencies. 

ZAAKI SCRATCHED WITH ELEVATED TEMPERATURE

The market for the 2021 Cox Plate has been turned on its head after favourite Zaaki was scratched on the morning of the race.

Trainer Annabel Neasham confirmed the news on Saturday, withdrawing the seven-year-old gelding after it presented with an elevated temperature.

Zaaki was set to go around a $2.80 favourite prior to the scratching, with Anamoe ($2.90) now the shortest in the betting.

ZAAKI DRIFTS AFTER SHOCK LOSS IN GROUP 1 MIGHT AND POWER STAKES

Cox Plate favourite Zaaki has drifted out in the market, following a shock loss in the Group 1 Might and Power Stakes on October 9th.

Running around at $1.25 in the small field at Caulfield, the seven-year-old gelding fell to Probabeel, who has now come into $11 for the Cox Plate. 


Zaaki is now rated a $2.80 chance in the Cox Plate, with Godolhpin-trained runner Anamoe ($6.50) gaining plenty of support after a strong win in the Caulfield Guineas. 

ZAAKI ANNOUNCES COX PLATE CREDENTIALS WITH TRAMWAY, UNDERWOOD WINS

Cox Plate favourite Zaaki has shown exactly why a lot of good judges are picking it for the big race, producing a convincing win in the Tramway Stakes.


A couple of weeks later, Zaaki took out the Underwood Stakes as short-priced favourite, and has now come into $2.10 in the All-In market. 

COX PLATE WINNER SIR DRAGONET EUTHANISED

Sir Dragonet, winner of the 2020 Cox Plate, was euthanised after suffering an injury during a gallop at Moonee Valley.

"He was doing a routine gallop at the Valley. This preparation was going very similar to last year," trainer Ciaron Maher said.

"Ben Allen knows the horse quite well and he was just sitting off another horse, hadn't really got into their work yet and were just starting to increase and he (Allen) said [he didn't know] whether he put his foot down a bit funny or what.

"He sustained a catastrophic injury to his near foreleg. It's a pretty hard pill to swallow.

"He probably wasn't too far off having a career at stud the staff and everyone he was obviously a favourite. A tough day for the stable."

2021 COX PLATE FINAL FIELD AND BARRIERS

The field has been set for this year's Cox Plate, with 10 runners set to partake in one of the most exciting races on the calendar.

Cox Plate favourite Zaaki has drawn barrier six, with superstar mare Verry Elleegant drawn barrier nine for this year's race.

Anamoe will come from the widest gate, while Captivant has drawn the rails. 

HORSE (BARRIER) WEIGHT JOCKEY TRAINER
1. Zaaki (6) 59kg James McDonald Annabel Neasham
2. Dalasan (3) 59kg Daniel Moor Leon Macdonald & Andrew Gluyas
3. Gold Trip (2) 59kg Damien Oliver Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
4. Callsign Mav (5) 59kg Luke Nolen John Bary
5. Mo'unga (4) 57.5kg Hugh Bowman Annabel Neasham
6. Verry Elleegant (9) 57kg Damian Lane Chris Waller
7. Probabeel (7) 57kg Brett Prebble Jamie Richards
8. State Of Rest 56.5kg John Allen Joseph O'Brien
9. Anamoe (10) 49.5kg Craig Williams James Cummings
10. Captivant (1) 49.5kg Dean Yendall Peter & Paul Snowden

2021 COX PLATE BETTING ODDS

The field has been set for this year's Cox Plate, with eight runners set to partake in one of the most exciting races on the calendar. 

The scratchings of Zaaki and Gold Trip have seen Godolphin-trained runner Anamoe ($2.90) installed as favourite after an impressive win in the Caulfield Guineas. 

See below for all the latest odds, courtesy of Sportsbet . Odds correct as of 23rd October. 

RUNNER ODDS
Anamoe $2.90
Verry Elleegant $3.90
State Of Rest $6.50
Mo'unga $7
Probabeel $9.50
Captivant $11
Dalasan $21
Callsign Mav $31
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