CHAIRMAN’S Welcome The Moonee Valley Racing Club has a long and celebrated history dating back to 1883 when the farm that William ‘Sam’ Cox leased from the Feehan family was transformed into the Moonee Valley racecourse. Today is one of those important days for the Club as we celebrate the Centenary of our signature race, the W.S. Cox Plate – named in honour of the pioneering Sam Cox and first run in 1922. A “Centenary of Legendary” is a fitting term that neatly encapsulates all of the incredible stories and feats that have taken place on the hallowed turf of The Valley since Violoncello won that first ever W.S. Cox Plate 100 years ago. We all have those special memories from Cox Plates past and there are countless stories and remarkable achievements captured in those famous racecalls. While you are at The Valley for Ladbrokes Cox Plate Day, you will notice that many of these famous moments have been put on display. As we welcome crowds back this year, The Valley will indeed be rocking with barely a seat in the house left unsold. Dining packages, private functions, the Ladbrokes Mates Mode Carnival Zone on the infield, the bars and the front lawn will all be transformed into a sea of colour where a crowd of more than 23,000 witness the theatre of Australia’s Best Race. The race itself has assembled a truly superb list of middle-distance champions. The credentials of many of today’s Ladbrokes Cox Plate field have been laid bare on more than one occasion this season already – Mr Brightside, I’m Thunderstruck, Alligator Blood, Anamoe, and Zaaki returning for their Grand Final. Then there are the fairytales in waiting – will Zaaki or Anamoe get redemption on their respective misfortunes on Ladbrokes Cox Plate Day last year? Will Mo’unga or Laws of Indices give Annabel Neasham that much sought-after Ladbrokes Cox Plate should Zaaki not be the one? Then there’s Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott with their tenacious star Alligator Blood. And of course, there is the X-factor import El Bodegon from the Chris Waller camp. The late entry – although already nominated – of Gold Trip looks to go one better after his eye-catching run in the Caulfield Cup. Whichever way you turn, this year’s Ladbrokes Cox Plate story will be a fitting one for such a milestone occasion. Thank you to our Members, Partners and everyone who have stayed so patient and loyal to the Club over these past few years – now it is time to celebrate and get back to enjoying these precious moments trackside once again. Enjoy this day. It will be one for the ages. Moonee Valley Racing Club respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of this land, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation, and pay our respects to its Elders past, present and emerging. DON CASBOULT CHAIRMAN
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