Winx Leads 2017 Ladbrokes Cox Plate Second Acceptances

This list of potential rivals taking on Winx in her bid at a third straight Ladbrokes Cox Plate victory in 2017 has been shortened to just 48 second acceptances taken this week.

Winx is the undeniable standout in the 48 Ladbrokes Cox Plate 2017 second acceptances this spring. Photo: Steve Hart.

There were 79 first acceptors for the Group 1 $3 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m), running at Moonee Valley Racecourse on October 28, and now 48 remain in contention for Australasia’s weight-for-age championship.

Chris Waller’s Hall of Fame mare Winx has won the past two editions of the Cox Plate and looks the one to beat again as she attempts to emulate triple champion Kingston Town (1980-82).

The superstar daughter of Street Cry is already odds-on in futures Cox Plate betting at race sponsor Ladbrokes.com.au and has the ideal preparation into the classic.

The six-year-old enjoyed win number 20 on the trot and became a 13-time Group 1 victor last time out on September 16 at Randwick winning her second Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m).

In a change of plans from the Waller camp, the $13.47 million earner will make her Flemington debut with a final lead-up into the Cox Plate field scheduled for October 7 in the Group 1 $500,000 Turnbull Stakes (2000m).

El Segundo (6^th in 2007) was the last Cox Plate winner to come directly off a run in the Turnbull Stakes and the bookies, along with the punters, are firmly tipping Winx to be the next.

2017 Ladbrokes Cox Plate Second Acceptances

• Total: 48
• Internationals: 5
• Group 1 Winners: 17
• Three-Year-Olds: 7
• Past Cox Plate Starters: 4

Along with the red hot favourite and dual defending champion, Waller has also paid Ladbrokes Cox Plate second acceptances for five other runners including Egg Tart who is a favourite for this weekend’s Epsom Handicap at Randwick.

Waller’s other Cox Plate chances are: McCreery, Tom Melbourne, Comin’ Through and Group 1 winning mare Foxplay who is also a key Epsom chance on Saturday.

Godolphin’s Cox Plate runner-up to Winx in the quinella last year, flogged eight lengths by the record-breaking mare, Hartnell is also still officially in the entries again this spring.

The James Cummings-trained Melbourne Cup placegetter was last seen running second to Humidor in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) and runs again in Sunday’s Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield.

Hartnell will target either the Cox Plate again or be stepped-up to 2400m the weekend prior in the Group 1 $3 million Caulfield Cup (2400m), the import also featuring in the official 2017 Caulfield Cup First Acceptances out today.

Also still holding an entry for both the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate is the aforementioned Makybe Diva Stakes winner Humidor for Darren Weir who is favourite for the former.

Other notable Ladbrokes Cox Plate second acceptances this Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival include Royal Symphony who races this Sunday on way to the Group 1 Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas (1600m) and fellow three-year-old Catchy.

Royal Symphony and the autumn’s Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes winner Catchy are two of the seven three-year-olds that remain in the mix, out to be the first of that age to win the Cox Plate since Shamus Award (2013) broke his maiden status in the race.

The Cox Plate third acceptances close on October 10 before the final field is announced early on Tuesday October 24, 2017.

Check out the official 2017 Ladbrokes Cox Plate second declarations below, heading to Ladbrokes.com.au for the updated Winx odds.

2017 Ladbrokes Cox Plate Second Acceptances

Moonee Valley Racecourse – 28/10/2017