Moonee Valley will host its biggest raceday of the year this Saturday, with the running of the $5 million Cox Plate.
The race will be run over 2040m and features some of the horses in the world in weight-for-age conditions. It headlines a massive day at the Valley, with the running of the Group 1 Manikato Stakes also taking place after inclement weather on Friday night.
The winning connections will take home $3 million, with State Of Rest taking out last year's event. Other past winners include Winx (four times), So You Think (twice) and Sunline (twice).
The feature event on the updated stacked 11-race card at Moonee Valley will be run at 5.10pm AEDT.
Play Central, watch all 3 sky racing channels live on the TAB app.
Cox Plate 2022 Field, Barriers and Betting Odds
Odds courtesy of TAB, correct as of 2:30 pm AEDT, October 22nd.
| RUNNER (BARRIER) | JOCKEY | TRAINER | ODDS |
| 1. Zaaki (1) | Jamie Kah | Annabel Neasham | $6.50 |
| 2. I'm Thunderstruck (10) | Mark Zahra | M. Price/M. Kent Jr | $9.50 |
| 3. Alligator Blood (12) | Tim Clark | G. Waterhouse/A. Bott | $21 |
| 4. Mr Brightside (11) | Craig Williams | Ben & JD Hayes | $13 |
| 5. Mo'unga (9) | Nash Rawiller | Annabel Neasham | $26 |
| 6. Gold Trip (7) | Jamie Spencer | C. Maher/D. Eustace | $12 |
| 7. Laws Of Indices (3) | John Allen | Annabel Neasham | $41 |
| 8. Young Werther (2) | Damian Lane | Danny O'Brien | $46 |
| 9. Maximal (5) | Ben Melham | John O'Shea | $61 |
| 10. Anamoe (4) | James McDonald | James Cummings | $2.35 |
| 11. Profondo (6) | Chad Schofield | Richard Litt | $81 |
| 12. El Bodegon (8) | Damien Oliver | Chris Waller | $5.50 |
Cox Plate 2022 tips
Godolphin superstar Anamoe ($2.35) looks set to start the race as favourite, and rightfully so considering his recent form at the track in both Sydney and Melbourne. James McDonald will travel down for the race, continuing the bond between the star jockey and horse.
The four-year-old has been in tremendous form this preparation, taking out three Group 1 events against a lot of the same competition as Saturday's race. Anamoe has drawn a nice barrier and any chance of rain won't impact his chances, holding a fantastic record on soft and heavy tracks.
Zaaki ($6.50) has drifted in the market but has been in solid form this prep, winning the G2 Tramway Stakes and placing in his other two starts. The eight-year-old has drawn the inside gate and will likely be at his peak for this race.
Racing expert Ryan Phelan is tipping the Annabel Neasham-trained gelding to take out the race ahead of Anamoe.
“Last year’s race is a great pointer to this year’s race. In 2021, Anamoe ran second and was probably unlucky not to win," Phelan said.
"Zaaki was the race favourite, only to be scratched on race morning due to an elevated temperature. I think those two will fight it out again in 2022, but with Zaaki to turn the tables on Anamoe.
"Zaaki may have won this race at the barrier draw, slotted perfectly in barrier one. I can see jockey Jamie Kah either leading this race or getting a nice run on-pace, putting the hammer down at the 600m mark and trying to break their hearts with Anamoe in hot pursuit."
The other runner at single-figure odds is overseas runner El Bodegon ($5.50), who has seen plenty of support in the market despite this being his first start in Australia. The four-year-old has an impressive record to date, winning three of nine starts and placing in five others. That being said, El Bodegon hasn't won in 12 months and will be first-up after a nine-week spell for the Cox Plate.
Further behind in the market is Mr Brightside ($13), who has been in reasonable form without setting the world on fire, finishing over two lengths behind Anamoe in both recent starts. Prior to those two runs, the five-year-old won the G2 Feehan Stakes at the Valley in a small field.
Alligator Blood ($21) has enjoyed some strong performances this preparation, taking out the G1 Underwood Stakes ahead of Zaaki, while finishing a nose behind in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes. Speaking of that race, the winner I'm Thunderstruck ($10) has been consistent throughout four starts this preparation, recording one win and two placings.
After finishing second in an eye-catching display in the G1 Caulfield Cup, Gold Trip ($12) will be on a quick back-up and should be at peak fitness for this race. The six-year-old comes into the race lightly-raced, with just 15 career starts for one victory, but could be a dark horse and run into a place.
But if we're being fair dinkum, this is Anamoe's race to lose and while he sits above the even-money mark, it's almost impossible to overlook him.
FINAL TIP: Anamoe win ($2.35 with TAB) + I'm Thunderstruck place ($2.60 with TAB)
RYAN PHELAN'S EXPERT TIP: Zaaki ($6.50 with TAB)
How to watch Cox Plate 2022
This year's Cox Plate will be broadcast live on Sky Racing and Channel 7.
Cox Plate 2022 tickets
To purchase tickets to this year's Cox Plate raceday, click here.
General admission tickets are sold out, but there are still premium tickets available for $180 and above.
Manikato Stakes Field, Barriers, Betting Odds and Tips
Odds courtesy of TAB, correct as of 2:45 pm, October 22nd.
| RUNNER (BARRIER) | JOCKEY | TRAINER | ODDS |
| 1. Behemoth (16) | Ben Melham | David Jolley | $27 |
| 2. Eleven Eleven (7) | Hugh Bowman | Greg Hickman | $17 |
| 3. Streets Of Avalon (10) | Zac Spain | Shane Nichols | $67 |
| 5. Paulele (6) | James McDonald | James Cummings | $3.80 |
| 7. Rothfire (7) | Damian Lane | Rob Heathcote | $6.50 |
| 8. The Astrologist (8) | Fred Kersley | L & T Corstens | $27 |
| 9. September Run (13) | Kerrin McEvoy | Chris Waller | $15 |
| 10. Bella Nipotina (2) | Craig Williams | C.Maher/D.Eustace | $4.50 |
| 11. Roch N Horse (15) | Patrick Moloney | Michael Moroney | $20 |
| 13. Best Of Bordeaux (14) | Tim Clark | Kacy Fogden | $11 |
| 14. Coolangatta (1) | Jamie Kah | C.Maher/D.Eustace | $5.50 |
| 15e. Savatoxl (18) | Linda Meech | Tony McEvoy | $61 |
