Two of Australia's most exciting 3-year-olds will attempt to upstage an accomplished older generation when Warwoven and Blind Raise take their places in the Oct. 24 Cox Plate (G1), which will be staged at Flemington Racecourse for the first time in its 106-year history.
The two, which fought out the finish of the Caulfield Guineas (G1) earlier this month, are the youngest members of a 12-strong field boasting a combined 22 group 1 victories, with their respective trainers hoping a significant weight advantage can help bridge the gap to the country's established weight-for-age performers.
Bjorn Baker's dual group 1-winning colt Warwoven, who also landed last month's Golden Rose (G1), has drawn barrier 2 under Rachel King, while Caulfield Guineas runner-up Blind Raise will jump from gate 9 for Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, with Jamie Melham booked to ride.
Both will carry just 49.5 kilograms, receiving 9.5 kilograms from the older males and 7.5 kilograms from the race's sole mare Aeliana.
The Chris Waller-trained Aeliana, who has drawn barrier 10 under James McDonald, shares favoritism with Sir Delius, who will jump from barrier 5 for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
For the riders of the two 3-year-olds, there is also history at stake. King and Melham will each be bidding to become the first female jockey to win the Cox Plate, with the latter seeking to add the weight-for-age championship to her victories in last year's Caulfield Cup (G1) and Melbourne Cup (G1).
While the younger brigade will command plenty of attention, Aeliana and Sir Delius head a powerful group of older contenders, both having completed their final serious preparations at HQ Oct. 20.
Aeliana, who was partnered by McDonald in her course-proper gallop, is seeking her fourth group 1 victory, having added the Ranvet Stakes (G1) and Tancred Stakes (G1) to her 2025 Australian Derby (G1) success earlier this year.
The daughter of Castelvecchio finished third behind Cosmic Crusader in the Turnbull Stakes (G1) Oct. 3 and Waller believes she is ready to produce her best.
Her stablemate Birdman will jump from the inside barrier after adding last month's Underwood Stakes (G1) to his Doomben Cup (G1) victory earlier this year.
The 6-year-old subsequently finished third in the Might and Power Stakes (G1), with his trainer confident that outing has brought him forward.
"Aeliana is ready to peak after a good semifinal run last start and Birdman, the same," Waller said.
Sir Delius, meanwhile, will be seeking to add another prestigious prize to his record when he lines up from barrier 5 for Waterhouse and Bott.
Waterhouse is confident the lightly raced 5-year-old is approaching Saturday's contest in excellent condition, and he too completed a solid course-proper gallop at Flemington Tuesday, with regular rider Craig Williams retaining the mount.
"It was good, strong and solid," Waterhouse said. "He's very fit and he handled it very well, he's a happy, happy horse."
The likely tempo could prove particularly significant, with Ciaron Maher's Land Legend and Light Infantry Man selecting the two widest barriers.
Maher will also saddle Roaring Lion pair Middle Earth and Saint George, both backing up from the Oct. 17 Caulfield Cup, while Andrea Leek's Turnbull Stakes winner Cosmic Crusader is also on the seven-day turnaround, having finished fourth in the Caulfield Cup.
Dual Epsom Handicap (G1) winner Ceolwulf and last year's Cox Plate fourth Attrition complete the field.
Saturday's contest shapes as an intriguing clash of generations.
"There is plenty of depth," Waller said. "The 3-year-olds are classy and come into the race with great form, there's going to be plenty of speed in the race and it's a weight-for-age race.
"It will be one for the ages."
Spring Champion Stakes
Jason Collett is hopeful Wonka can provide him with a second victory in the Spring Champion Stakes (G1) when the Waller-trained colt steps up in distance Saturday. Collett, who won the race aboard Montefilia in 2020, believes an economical run will be crucial as Wonka attempts 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles) for the first time, alongside his eight rivals. The 3-year-old won the Dulcify Quality Stakes two starts ago before finishing a narrow runner-up to fellow Spring Champion contender Proxima Dea in the Gloaming Stakes (G3).
"I just want a soft run to give him his chance to see out the distance, which is a question mark," Collett said. "If he gets a soft enough run, he can see it out, and I think he'll be strong late. He's got a very good turn of foot, so if we can utilize that Saturday, that's one of our advantages.
"He keeps taking the step up, and keeps performing, and drawn favorably on Saturday, he's a good chance," he said.
