Celebrating the 100th running of the Cox Plate

Celebrating the 100th running of the Cox Plate

Celebrating the 100th running of the Cox Plate

  • On October 21, 2020

The Ladbrokes Cox Plate is one of the world's premier weight for age thoroughbred races, with a prize-money pool of $5 million ensuring that a world-class field of 14 starters is attracted to the race.

On 24th October, the 100th running of the Cox Plate will be celebrated at the Moonee Valley racecourse. Affectionately known as 'The Race Where Legends are Made': just some of the legendary past winners of the Cox Plate are Phar Lap, Makybe Diva, Kingston Town and Winx.

A legendary race needs to start with legendary gates, and that is exactly what the Cox Plate has used for more than 20 years. Although the starting gates have been in use for many years, it has been a priority of the Moonee Valley Racing Club to look after and maintain their gates to the highest standard. Racecourse Manager, Martin (Marty) Synan understands the importance of a good working gate, “They have been well looked after, they are a major asset of the club – people don’t realise how important they are”. Ensuring the gates are ready, ensures a faultless start to the Cox Plate.

The Steriline starting gates will again be adorned in red for the 2020 Cox Plate, the colour scheme of the race's major sponsor, Ladbrokes. The implementation of the premium coloured safety padding provides enhanced safety for the jockeys, horses and handlers whilst reinforcing sponsor branding. “The coloured padding has rejuvenated the gates and given a new look to the start of the race,” said Marty (MVRC). It has certainly made an impact for sponsor Ladbrokes, choosing to also change to the red padding for the gates used at the Melbourne Racing Club’s Sandown racecourse.

Steriline is the global leader in racetrack solutions and hasn't gotten there by chance. Six of the top ten races and more than half of the group 1 races around the world are started by Steriline, including the Dubai World Cup, the Melbourne Cup, England's Epsom Derby and the Kentucky Derby in the US.

Steriline are the experts in maintaining your perfect race start, so if your gate is in need of maintenance, or you would like to rejuvenate our gates with improved safety and style, contact us today for advice. 

 

Click here to find out more about the gate you need by reading Choosing your Best Starting Gate Solution.