Of the 17 internationally trained runners nominated, Irish powerhouse Aidan O’Brien has nine runners entered, while Joseph O’Brien has three. Aidan O’Brien famously became the first international trainer to win the W.S. Cox Plate with Adelaide in 2014, while Joseph followed suit in 2021 with State Of Rest. Other key international entries include the Simon & Ed Crisford trained West Wind Blows, Charles Hills colt Galeron, My Prospero for William Haggas. The Autumn Carnival showcased the rise of New Zealand trained gallopers and that is set to continue this Spring with some of the country’s finest thoroughbreds nominating for the Ladbrokes Cox Plate. They include Australian Guineas winner Legarto, New Zealand Derby winner Sharp ‘N’ Smart, Vinery Stud Stakes winner Prowess and New Zealand 2000 Guineas winner Pier. Could one of these four become the first New Zealand trained runner to win the race since Ocean Park in 2012? The New Zealanders have a rich history in Australia’s Best Race, and kiwi-born trainer Chris Waller added four more Cox Plate victories to their mantlepiece from 2015-2018 with a certified champion in Winx. This year the master trainer has nominated 27 horses for the Ladbrokes Cox Plate, the most of any trainer. Other Group 1 winners nominated include Alcohol Free, Huetor, Luxembourg, Fangirl, Kovalica, Lindermann, Militarize, Montefilia, Shinzo, Zougotcha, Duais, Fireburn, Think It Over, Alenquer and Amelia’s Jewel. MVRC CEO Michael Browell, said: “After such a wonderful year in 2022 where we celebrated the Centenary running of the Ladbrokes Cox Plate, won by Anamoe, it is most pleasing to see a large increase in nomination numbers year on year. “178 total nominations is a return to pre-Covid 2019 and 2020 levels, where numbers rose to beyond 180. “With a rating of 125, Aidan O’Brien’s Paddington is the highest rated three-year-old in the world and it is great to see his name amongst the nominations, while Danny Shum’s Romantic Warrior will also be one of the highlight horses of the Spring as a 123-rater and multiple Group 1 winner. “Six runners from the 2022 Ladbrokes Cox Plate could be returning to The Valley in October this year, which doesn’t include the winner Anamoe and runner-up I’m Thunderstruck who we sadly lost earlier this year. “The three-year-old brigade always add great interest, and Chris Waller’s multiple Group 1 winning colt Militarize looks one of the most exciting of his cohort, while Paul Preusker could also have a Ladbrokes Cox Plate contestant with the unbeaten Steparty. “We now look forward to the build-up to the 2023 Ladbrokes Cox Plate, Australia’s Best Race, where the official countdown will begin on Saturday 9 September with the Group 2 $500,000 Clamms Seafood Feehan Stakes (1600m), the only local Ladbrokes Cox Plate qualifying race.”
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