Cox Plate nominations announced by Moonee Valley Racing Club

The Moonee Valley Racing Club has released the list of nominations for the upcoming Cox Plate.

Chris Waller has entered a substantial number of horses for the $6 million race, with 27 of his potential starters, including the prominent mare Autumn Glow, featuring in the 2040-metre contest revealed on Tuesday.

Despite the $1320 entry fee being paid, Waller emphasised that Autumn Glow's participation in the October 24 race is not a certainty, pending any advice from her regular jockey, James McDonald, who has won the last four editions of the Cox Plate.

"Just to keep options open," Waller explained when asked about Autumn Glow's nomination.

"It's not on our radar, but if James at any stage says, 'have a go at the Cox Plate' she'll be having a go."

Autumn Glow's preparation will commence with the Group 1 Winx Stakes at Randwick on August 22 over 1400m. Her performance there will be crucial in deciding whether she targets the $20 million The Everest (1200m) or the King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on October 17.

A total of 103 horses were nominated for the Cox Plate, which will be conducted at Flemington this year due to ongoing track redevelopment at Moonee Valley.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained import Sir Delius leads the charge among the locally based entries, aiming for a successful campaign after being scratched from last year's race when a short-priced favourite.

Fifteen international entries have been received from countries including Ireland, the United Kingdom, France, and Japan. The standout international contender is the three-year-old Gstaad, who recently finished second in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, behind the exceptional miler Bow Echo.

While Calandagan, who had been discussed as a potential visitor, did not make the nominations, trainer Francis-Henri Graffard of the Japan Cup winner has nominated Royal Ascot victor Map Of Stars.

Waller is without Via Sistina this year, the mare that claimed the past two Cox Plates and brought him within one win of Tommy Smith's record of seven victories. However, his stable for the 2026 renewal includes two horses that contested the race last year.

Buckaroo, who finished a close second to Via Sistina, is nominated once more. Aeliana, the sixth-place finisher from last year, is also entered and is expected to use the Cox Plate as a lead-up to the Melbourne Cup.

"It's not my job to seed them, but she'd certainly be right up there," Waller remarked about Aeliana, whose preparations were disrupted on Tuesday morning due to a late scratching from a Warwick Farm trial.

"We'll probably make it her target race. I'm not saying she's our top seed, but she will be set for the race and I think it fits into a Melbourne Cup.

"But, first and foremost, a Cox Plate."

Waller trains half of the 16 three-year-olds nominated, including Group 1 winning juveniles Campione D'Italia, Fireball, and Tron Bolt.

With a strong field of nominations for the Cox Plate, the competition is expected to be fierce. Many are keen to explore the available betting sites.