When is the Cox Plate?
The Cox Plate is run at Moonee Valley in late October, typically the Saturday before Melbourne Cup week.
The Cox Plate is Australia's premier weight-for-age race and is run at Moonee Valley Racecourse in Melbourne in late October each year. It is typically run on the Saturday before Melbourne Cup week, so it sits at the heart of the Spring Racing Carnival. The exact date moves slightly each year—check our Australian racing calendar or Cox Plate feature page for the current year's date.
The race is run over 2040 metres and is contested under weight-for-age conditions, meaning the best horses compete without handicap weights. The Cox Plate has been won by many of the greatest horses in Australian racing history and is considered a true test of class. Moonee Valley's tight track and short straight make it a unique challenge and a great spectacle.
For the Cox Plate field, odds, and tips, visit our Cox Plate feature race page. For Moonee Valley results on other days, use our Moonee Valley results page. The Spring Racing Carnival page has an overview of the carnival order, including the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate, and Melbourne Cup.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Cox Plate 2026?
The Cox Plate 2026 will be run in late October at Moonee Valley, usually the Saturday before the Melbourne Cup.
What distance is the Cox Plate?
The Cox Plate is run over 2040 metres at Moonee Valley. It is a weight-for-age race for the best middle-distance horses.
Where is the Cox Plate run?
The Cox Plate is run at Moonee Valley Racecourse in Melbourne. The same track hosts other Group 1 races during the spring and autumn.