or-age, 2040m

HISTORY

* First run in 1922 when Moonee Valley Racing Club committee voted for a high-quality, weight-for-age race for the best horses

* Named after William Samuel Cox, founder of Moonee Valley racecourse

* Notable winners include Phar Lap (1930-31), Ajax (1938), Rising Fast (1954), Tulloch (1960), Tobin Bronze (1966-67), Dulcify (1979), Kingston Town (1980-81-82), Bonecrusher (1986), Might And Power (1998), Sunline (1999-2000), Northerly (2001-02), Makybe Diva (2005), So You Think (2009-10) and Adelaide (2014)

* Phar Lap is shortest-priced winner starting at 1-14 in 1931.

TALKING POINTS

* Rising Fast (1954) is the only horse to win the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup in the same year

* Kingston Town is the only horse to win three times. He was ridden by a different jockey each time - Malcolm Johnston (1980), Ron Quinton (1981) and Peter Cook (1982)

* The late TJ Smith is the most successful trainer with seven wins - Redcraze (1957), Tulloch (1960), Gunsynd (1972), Kingston Town (1980-81-82) and Red Anchor (1984)

* Surround is the only three-year-old filly to win

* Darby Munro is the most successful jockey winning five times

* In 2000 Sunline equalled Dulcify's record-winning margin of seven lengths

* Irish horse Adelaide became the first northern hemisphere-trained winner in 2014 and Highland Reel is back for the same connections again.

* Four mares have won the race in the past 20 years - Pinker Pinker (2011), Makybe Diva (2005), Sunline (1999-2000) and Dane Ripper (1997). Winx is the only mare contesting Saturday's Cox Plate.

TRACK

Moonee Valley is unique with a circumference of 1805 metres and a home straight of just 173 metres.

THE FAVOURITE

Irish horse Highland Reel has a similar profile to last year's winner Adelaide and like his former stablemate won the Secretariat Stakes at Arlington in the United States.

He will be ridden by last year's winning jockey Ryan Moore for Aidan O'Brien and Coolmore.

PATTERN

The Cleaner is a natural leader and Noel Callow will work forward from barrier two. Mourinho is another on-pace runner and will have to make his way over from barrier 12 of 14.

The three overseas-trained horses - Highland Reel, Arod and Gailo Chop - are also expected to go forward.

WHAT THE MAIN PLAYERS ARE SAYING

"I really respect these internationals as I've seen them up close this year and I know how good they are.

"I wish they weren't here." David Hayes, trainer of Criterion, on the overseas challenge.

"They're sound and moving well and a big part of training these days is the mental side.

"They're all very calm, bright and happy." Trainer Chris Waller on his trio of Cox Plate runners Winx, Preferment and Kermadec.

"He's obviously a Group One winner at weight-for-age in the Doomben Cup. He's got to bounce back but there's nothing to say in his work on Tuesday and Saturday that he's not in good form." Kerrin McEvoy talking about the chances of Pornichet.