It’s an honour to be here for the 104th running of Australia’s Best Race, the Ladbrokes Cox Plate. We have a select and high-calibre field this year, featuring reigning Australian Horse of the Year, Pride Of Jenni, last year’s runner-up Mr Brightside, and top-class import Via Sistina, who offers James McDonald the chance to secure his 100th Group 1 victory. Via Sistina is one of two for Chris Waller, alongside Kovalica, while Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott present the impressive import Royal Patronage. Exciting three-year-olds Broadsiding and Evaporate bolster the locally trained contingent, taking on strong international contenders Prognosis from Japan and Docklands from the UK. The day’s racing is filled with quality, boasting nine black-type events, including four Group 2 races, with the Alinta Energy Crystal Mile, the 3 Point Motors Fillies Classic, the Drummond Golf Vase, and the Mittys McEwen Stakes, where the winner earns MVRC’s slot in the $1m The Meteorite at Cranbourne on November 23. A tradition of the day is the singing of The Horses, and we’re thrilled to have Thirsty Merc performing before the Ladbrokes Cox Plate and closing the day with a concert. We also celebrate the remarkable career of champion jockey Damien Oliver, a two-time winner of the Ladbrokes Cox Plate, as we present him with the Kingston Town Greatness Award. Be sure to support a worthy cause by purchasing your Cox Plate Charity Pin, with all proceeds going to Myeloma Australia. Best of luck to all connections, and I hope you enjoy a memorable Ladbrokes Cox Plate Day at The Valley. CHAIR ADAM LENNEN CHAIR’S WELCOME WELCOME TO 2024 LADBROKES COX PLATE DAY AT THE VALLEY. 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.
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