Australia: Fawkner favored in Cox Plate

Fawkner, a Group 1 winner on Oct. 11, can solidify his claims for the Melbourne Cup on Nov. 4 in Saturday’s $2,638,500 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley Racecourse in Australia.

A 7-year-old gelding, Fawkner will be favored in a field of 14 in the Group 1 Cox Plate, run over about 1 1/4 miles on turf. Fawkner is considered a 12-1 chance for the two-mile Melbourne Cup.

The Cox Plate drew an international field, including Adelaide and Side Glance, who raced with success in the United States over the summer.

Adelaide, second in the Belmont Derby in New York in July, won the Grade 1 Secretariat Stakes at Arlington Park in August. Trained by Aidan O’Brien of Ireland, Adelaide was third in the Group 2 Prix Niel at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris on Sept. 14.

Side Glance, trained in England by Andrew Balding, was third in both the Grade 1 United Nations Stakes at Monmouth Park in July and the Grade 1 Arlington Million in August. He was third behind Fawkner in the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes at Caulfield Racecourse in Australia on Oct. 11.

Another contender is Sacred Falls, a 5-year-old New Zealand bred who has won four Group 1 races in Australia and New Zealand.