Cox Plate 2024 Prognosis: Another foreign raider to take the win?

Only 12 runners get a start in the Cox Plate every year so even getting a run is an honour. The 2040m around Moonee Valley is a unique test of a racehorse with a need for speed around the turning track but still needing that stamina for the 2000m. It truly is a special race and the 2024 renewal is shaping up well on the betting sites.

Japan raider Prognosis looks strong 

Japan won this race in 2019 with Lys Gracieux. Romantic Warrior was the 2023 winner for Hong Kong and that horse has some form that ties in with Prognosis. He was fifth to the Danny Shum-trained superstar in the Hong Kong Cup when beaten a length in December 2023. He was then a neck behind in the QEII Cup in April.

That level of form would suggest that if the cards drop right for him, then he has to be a strong contender. It is interesting to see that Damian Lane has already been booked to take the ride on him. He was on Lys Gracieux so he has previous when it comes to raiders from Japan.

He is yet to get his head in front in a Group 1 contest but he has not had the best of luck either. Needing a bit of luck might not be ideal at The Valley which might be a slight concern.

Docklands will represent Harry Eustace

The Eustace name is well known in Australia thanks to Harry’s younger brother David. Docklands was runner-up in the opening race of Royal Ascot back in June, the Queen Anne. That is a 1600m contest on a straight track so it could hardly be a different test to The Valley.

He tried 2000m for the first time in the International at York in the middle of August but was never really at the races behind the exceptional winner City Of Troy. That was far from the best final prep contest before heading thousands of miles away.

The biggest concern that those who are looking to have a bet on him will have is that he is a horse who is ridden stone cold. There should be enough pace on here with the likes of Pride Of Jenni but trying to come from last to first at The Valley is not an easy task for any horse.

How does the home team look 

As mentioned above, Pride Of Jenni is going to be one of the main hopes. She has only been seen in action at The Valley once in her life when runner-up in the Group 2 Stocks to Amelia’s Jewel. In theory, this course should suit her run style.

One of Jenni’s biggest rivals over the last year has been Mr Brightside. He got the better of her in the Makybe Diva Stakes last weekend and was second to Romantic Warrior in this race last year. He has three wins from four other starts at The Valley.

Broadsiding won a pair of Group 1 races in the autumn, the Champagne Stakes and the JJ Atkins. The three-year-old has only had seven starts in his life so is the most open to improvement. There have been three winners of his age group in the last 20 years.

The Cox Plate is one of the most anticipated races of the season. That is not only in Australia but also around the world where it is a race that is known as one of the best on the planet. The 2024 foreign runners hold strong chances again.