Sports · Other Sports · 2 hrs ago
Aeliana and Waller-McDonald partnership lead Cox Plate hopes
Aeliana is the favourite for Saturday’s Cox Plate at Flemington, a major horse race over 2,040 metres.
The mare is trained by Chris Waller and will be ridden by James McDonald.
Waller and McDonald have won the past two Cox Plates together, with Via Sistina, and have recorded 51 Group 1 wins as a partnership.
A win with Aeliana would make it 52, two short of the Australian record for a trainer and jockey combination.
Aeliana has three Group 1 wins and most recently finished third in the Turnbull Stakes and second in the Sunrise Stakes.
Ceolwulf and Sir Delius are among the main threats, while three-year-olds Warwoven and Blind Raise are also in the field.
The race is scheduled for 5.10pm Saturday, and Waller would claim his seventh Cox Plate win if Aeliana triumphs.
Chris Waller and James McDonald will partner favourite Aeliana in Saturday’s $6 million Cox Plate.
The trainer and jockey have won the past two Cox Plates together with Via Sistina and recorded 51 Group 1 wins as a combination.
A win with Aeliana would give them 52 Group 1 victories together, two short of the Australian record.
It would also be Waller’s seventh Cox Plate victory and McDonald’s fifth.
Aeliana has three Group 1 wins and most recently finished third in the Turnbull Stakes and second in the Sunrise Stakes.
- Who
- Trainer Chris Waller and jockey James McDonald, with mare Aeliana.
- What
- They will seek to win the Cox Plate. Aeliana is the favourite.
- When
- Saturday, October 24, 2026. The race is scheduled to start at 5.10pm.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- Waller and McDonald have a strong record together, including the past two Cox Plates. Aeliana is a three-time Group 1 winner.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Aeliana finished third in the Turnbull Stakes and second behind Autumn Glow in the Sunrise Stakes.
Waller and McDonald are scheduled to race Aeliana in the Cox Plate.
- Race prize
- $6 million
- Race distance
- 2040 metres
- Scheduled start
- 5.10pm on Saturday
- Waller-McDonald partnership
- 51 Group 1 wins and the past two Cox Plates
- Aeliana
- Three-time Group 1-winning mare
What people are saying
Aeliana looks the one.