Cox Plate down to 27 contenders after third acceptances
The field is starting to take shape
The list of contenders for the Cox Plate on October 24 has been whittled down to 27 runners following the third round of acceptances for the $5 million weight-for-age classic.
Russian Camelot is the hot favourite for the race at $2.80 (Sportsbet), currently the only runner in single figures.
Armory for Aidan O'Brien and Sir Dragonet, a new acquisition for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, share the second line of betting at $10.
There had been 28 horses in the mix after third acceptances were taken, however three-year-old colt Glenfiddich was quickly withdrawn after a breathing issue was discovered which will also see him miss Saturday's Caulfield Guineas.
READ: Breathing issue rules out leading Caulfield Guineas contender
There are still five three-year-olds in the nominations, with Shamus Award in 2013 the last of that age group to salute in the Cox Plate.
Amish Boy (Ciaron Maher & David Eustace), King's Legacy (Peter & Paul Snowden) and Tagaloa (Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young) will put their Cox Plate credentials on the line in the Caulfield Guineas.
Jet Propulsion for Maher and Eustace has been entered for the Group Two Stan Fox Stakes (1500m) at Randwick on Saturday while Love Tap will also feature in Sydney.
The undefeated grey gelding for Richard and Michael Freedman will contest the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m), with connections declaring he'll be aimed at Moonee Valley should he be successful in Saturday's Group One.
Chris Waller has a quartet of runners remaining in contention with veteran and two-time Cox Plate placegetter Humidor, Kolding, Finche and Verry Elleegant.
It's expected Verry Elleegant will head to the Caulfield Cup where she is the $8 second-favourite, before a possible tilt at the Melbourne Cup, but a Cox Plate start has not been ruled out.
Metropolitan runner-up Mugatoo still holds a nomination for Kris Lees, while Probabeel has firmed from $21 to $15 after it was confirmed the Cox Plate would be her next target.
| Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AMISH BOY | C | 3 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace |
| 2 | ARCADIA QUEEN | M | 5 | Grant & Alana Williams |
| 3 | ARMORY (IRE) | H | 4 | Aidan O'Brien |
| 4 | ASPETAR (FR) | G | 6 | Roger Charlton |
| 5 | AVILIUS (GB) | G | 7 | James Cummings |
| 6 | BUCKHURST (IRE) | H | 5 | Joseph O'Brien |
| 7 | BUFFALO RIVER (USA) | G | 5 | Michael Moroney |
| 8 | CASCADIAN (GB) | G | 6 | James Cummings |
| 9 | DALASAN | H | 4 | Leon Macdonald & Andrew Gluyas |
| 10 | FIERCE IMPACT (JPN) | H | 7 | Matthew Smith |
| 11 | FINCHE (GB) | G | 7 | Chris Waller |
| 12 | GAILO CHOP (FR) | G | 10 | Matthew Williams |
| 13 | HARBOUR VIEWS (FR) | G | 6 | Matthew Williams |
| 14 | HUMIDOR (NZ) | G | 8 | Chris Waller |
| 15 | JET PROPULSION | C | 3 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace |
| 16 | KING’S LEGACY | C | 3 | Peter & Paul Snowden |
| 17 | KOLDING (NZ) | G | 5 | Chris Waller |
| 18 | LOVE TAP | G | 3 | Richard & Michael Freedman |
| 19 | MAGIC WAND (IRE) | M | 6 | Aidan O'Brien |
| 20 | MASTER OF WINE (GER) | G | 6 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes |
| 21 | MUGATOO (IRE) | G | 6 | Kris Lees |
| 22 | NETTOYER | M | 7 | Wendy Roche |
| 23 | PROBABEEL (NZ) | M | 4 | Jamie Richards |
| 24 | RUSSIAN CAMELOT (IRE) | H | 4 | Danny O'Brien |
| 25 | SIR DRAGONET (IRE) | H | 5 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace |
| 26 | TAGALOA | C | 3 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young |
| 27 | VERRY ELLEEGANT (NZ) | M | 5 | Chris Waller |
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