Barrier draw and final field for Flemington's Cox Plate

The 2026 WS Cox Plate will be run at Flemington this Saturday away from the spiritual home of Moonee Valley as it undergoes redevelopment.

The 2040m Group 1 weight-for-age classic has brought together a very even field this year, devoid of the absolute star factor we have seen with Via Sistina (winning twice), Romantic Warrior and Anamoe taking out the last four editions (all ridden by James McDonald).

The barrier draw took place on Tuesday night with pre-draw favourite Aeliana drawing 10.

Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott's Sir Delius, who has now returned to favouritism with most bookies, will jump from 5.

Connections of Land Legend, who won the Might And Power with a daring ride, chose barrier 12 with the first pick.

Fellow speed influence Light Infantry Man will be next door in gate 11.

Ceolwulf has drawn nicely in 3 for Joe Pride and Everest winner Chad Schofield, while Cosmic Crusader has gate 8 for Willie Pike.

Three-year-olds Warwoven and Blind Raise, who ran top two in the Caulfield Guineas, drew 2 and 9 respectively.

Note: Caulfield Cup winner John Allen has replaced Mark Zahra on Middle Earth following the latter's fall in the 2400m Group 1 last Saturday.

See the final field and barriers (in brackets after horse name) below:

2026 Cox Plate field & barriers

1 - Ceolwulf (3) (Joseph Pride / Chad Schofield) - 59kg
2 - Light Infantry Man (11) (Ciaron Maher / Harry Coffey) - 59kg
3 - Sir Delius (5) (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott / Craig Williams) - 59kg
4 - Attrition (4) (Mitchell Freedman / Jamie Mott) - 59kg
5 - Cosmic Crusader (8) (Andrea Leek / William Pike) - 59kg
6 - Birdman (1) (Chris Waller / Ben Melham) - 59kg
7 - Land Legend (12) (Ciaron Maher / Ethan Brown) - 59kg
8 - Middle Earth (7) (Ciaron Maher / John Allen) - 59kg
9 - Saint George (6) (Ciaron Maher / Blake Shinn) - 59kg
10 - Aeliana (10) (Chris Waller / James McDonald) - 57kg
11 - Warwoven (2) (Bjorn Baker / Rachel King) - 49.5kg
12 - Blind Raise (9) (Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young / Jamie Melham) - 49.5kg

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