Japanese raider Lys Graciuex heads the international flood of gallopers and the betting for the Group 1 $5m Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley on October 26 after third acceptances were taken today.

Mystic Journey, above, is still in contention for the 2019 Cox Plate at The Valley. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Mystic Journey, above, is still in contention for the 2019 Cox Plate at The Valley. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

A strong contingent of overseas trained horses are among the thirty-five third acceptances for the Cox Plate and include the Aidan O’Brien trained Magic Wand and Hunting Horn and the Joseph O’Brien trained LatrobeMaster of Reality and Twilight Payment.

Early Cox Plate betting at Ladbrokes.com.au has Lys Gracieux as the $4.80 favourite just ahead of the James Cummings trained Avilius at $5 while Mystic Journey has lost the top spot and is now on the third line of betting at $7.

Tassie champ Mystic Journey lost some support for the Cox Plate following her unplaced run last Saturday when fifth to Kings Will Dream in the Group 1 $500,000 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington.

Trainer Adam Trinder was happy with Mystic Journey’s effort in the Turnbull Staks and is planning to go ahead with a start in the Cox Plate with the talented mare.

“Mystic Journey has pulled up in fantastic order from Saturday’s run and the decision has been made to proceed to the Cox Plate,” Trinder said.

“She was back, cluttered through the entrance to the straight but I thought she hit the line with really good enthusiasm.”

“I still think we’re full of confidence with her. We thought that she really ran the 2000-metres and she kept galloping right through the line.”

Last Saturday’s Epsom runner up Te Akau Shark is also among the third acceptances for the Cox Plate and is well in the betting at $8.50.

Sydney’s leading trainer Chris Waller has won the last four runnings of the Cox Plate with champion mare Winx and is still in contention for this year’s Weight For Age Championship with Turnbull Stakes winner Kings Will Dream, Hills Stakes winner Verry Elleegant, Night’s Watch, and Yulong Prince.

Final acceptances for the Cox Plate will be taken at 8.30am (AEDT) on Tuesday, 22 October.

Early Betting for the 2019 Cox Plate at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.80 Lys Gracieux, $5 Avilius, $7 Mystic Journey, $8.50 Ta Akau Shark, $10 Danceteria, Homesman, $17 Dalasan, Flit, Magic Wand, $21 Kings Will Dream, Kluger, Verry Elleegant, $31 Gailo Chop, Mr Quickie, $34 Dream Castle, Gatting, Hartnell, Latrobe, $51 Castelvecchio, Humidor, Yucatan, $61 Cape Of Good Hope, Master Of Reality, $67 Quick Thinker, So Si Bon, $71 Princess Jenni, $81 Madison County, $101 Harlem, Hunting Horn, Night’s Watch, Twilight Payment, Yourdeel, $151 Yulong Prince, $201 Fierce Impact, Nettoyer.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.