Cox Plate 2026 Tips & Betting Advice

One big-three of the Melbourne racing scene, the Cox Plate generates massive buzz right around the world and is dubbed “the greatest two minutes in sports”.

The Cox Plate (2040m) is held at Moonee Valley in Melbourne, with a total prize pool of $6 million up for grabs. The 2025 edition will take place on Saturday October 25.

Bets.com.au provides you with expert Cox Plate betting tips and previews, along with a complete guide to the Group 1.

Our experts provide Cox Plate betting tips in the lead up to the Moonee Valley feature race. Get our top three selections for the race.

Punters will be able to get their Cox Plate betting tips, form guide and barrier draw analysis in the lead up to the greatest two minutes in sport.

The Cox Plate is one of Australia's top races and one of the main events punters focus on when the spring carnival rolls around.

Australian betting sites have special offers for customers - both new and existing - on the Cox Plate including enhanced odds promos that can be used on Moonee Valley races. If you are looking to sign up with a bookmaker ahead of the Cox Plate, check out our top five below.

The Cox Plate is known as the 'weight-for-age championship of Australia', which makes it a target race of horses from Australia and aboard. Winners of the Australian Cup, ATC Derby, Caulfield Stakes, Caulfield Guineas and Feehan Stakes gain ballot exempt entry straight into the Cox Plate.

The quality of the fields in the Cox Plate are always at a high level, but the unique Moonee Valley track gives astute jockeys the opportunity to take the race into their own hands. Race experience at the track also counts for plenty with horses that have ran at Moonee Valley holding an advantage on those who are taking to the tight-turning track for the first time. 

There's a number of key lead up races that punters can follow in order to conduct their Cox Plate form guide, most notably the Group One trio of the Caulfield, Turnbull and Underwood Stakes.  The Underwood Stakes-Cox Plate double has been completed 15 times across the race's history.

The race previously was a target for Melbourne Cup hopefuls looking to gain a ballot exempt entry into the race that stops a nation, but the Cox Plate is arguably as coveted as the Cup in recent times.

The Cox Plate is without question the greatest two minutes in Australian racing.

Inaugurated in 1922 when Tangalooma took out the event, it’s a veritable who’s who of racing that’s taken this event out.

Named in honour of William Samuel Cox who founded the Moonee Valley race club, the weight-for-age classic is Australia's second richest weight-for-age race behind the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. 

In recent times the Cox Plate is a truly international race.

The champions list includes the likes of four-time winner Winx, three-time winner Kingston Town, star galloper Northerly and the inimitable Phar Lap. 

The history of the Cox Plate has an incredible list of past winners, trainers and jockeys the likes of which is probably only rivalled by the race that stops a nation, the Melbourne Cup.

Punters looking to buy Cox Plate tickets can do so by visiting the official Moonee Valley Racing Club website. 

The Cox Plate carnival extends over two days racing taking place the night before under the Moonee Valley lights.

Moonee Valley's Twitter account can be found at @TheValley while their Facebook page is at Moonee Valley Race Club.

2nd - Buckaroo.

3rd - Treaurethe Moment.