The wait is over—the 2025 Ladbrokes Cox Plate is here, shaping up as a tactical weight-for-age war at The Valley!

Chris Waller’s reigning Australian Racehorse of the Year and last year’s eight-length champion, Via Sistina, is tipped to atone for her back-to-back losses and return to winning form as the hot favourite in 2025 Ladbrokes Cox Plate betting.

Reigning Ladbrokes Cox Plate champion Via Sistina heads betting to defend her title in 2025. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

The evergreen eight-year-old daughter of Fastnet Rock leads the nine final acceptors for Saturday’s Group 1 $6 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m), Australasia’s weight-for-age championship.

Via Sistina Chasing History

Via Sistina stamped herself as one of the best last year with a historic demolition job over Prognosis from barrier four of nine.

She’s drawn to repeat the feat from one wider out in barrier five this year with James McDonald sticking aboard the mare, who aims to win multiple editions for the first time since the stable’s four-time hero Winx (2015-18).

While she won the Turnbull Stakes 12 months ago, there is a slight query on her form this preparation following back-to-back third-place finishes: first to Mr Brightside in the Makybe Diva Stakes, and then again in the Turnbull Stakes behind the since-withdrawn Sir Delius.

However, post-race comments suggest she’s fit enough to command the top of the Cox Plate odds at $2.00 through race sponsor Ladbrokes.

J-Mac remains confident.

“I think she’s going well. That tough run will harden her up a bit for the Cox Plate,” he said after the Turnbull performance.

The Challengers

The main danger sits on the second line of Cox Plate betting at $3.50 with Tony Gollan’s Brisbane-based marvel, Antino.

The son of Redwood, a Doomben Cup winner in record time during the winter at home, heads to The Valley in excellent form, having run second to Sir Delius in the Turnbull Stakes, finishing ahead of Via Sistina that day.

He has placed in both his previous Moonee Valley assignments and jumps from gate six with Blake Shinn.

Waller chases a sixth Cox Plate, also saddling up Aeliana ($7.00) and Buckaroo ($17.00).

Aeliana, a five-length Australian Derby champion as a filly over the autumn, was runner-up in both the Winx Stakes and Makybe Diva this prep.

Her fifth in the Turnbull Stakes saw her making ground late, according to jockey Damian Lane.

“She ran honest,” he said.

“Just lacked a bit of change up speed. When I got clear she travelled through her turn-of-foot, and she was charging late.”

Hugh Bowman, who rode Winx to her four Cox Plate wins, takes the ride for her Moonee Valley debut from barrier eight.

Buckaroo jumps from last year’s winning barrier four with Mark Zahra.

The in-form gelding placed in the Underwood Stakes (2nd) and Might And Power (3rd) in his key lead-ups.

Globe ($15.00), the last-start Might And Power champion for Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr, is aiming to replicate Anamoe (2022) and complete the Might And Power Stakes – Cox Plate double.

He jumps from barrier seven with Ben Melham aboard.

Also in the mix is the boom mare Treasurethe Moment ($11.00).

The Group 1 Memsie Stakes winner for Matt Laurie disappointed slightly when failing to quicken in the Might And Power but gets a chance to return to her best from barrier one with Damian Lane.

Completing the field are three-year-old Nepotism ($26.00) (dropping to 49.5kg), Ciaron Maher’s Light Infantry Man ($51.00), and Attrition ($51.00).

2025 Ladbrokes Cox Plate Field & Barrier Draw

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

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