Horse Racing Betting Preview: Hartnell vs. Winx Odds for Cox Plate Showdown

The William Hill Cox Plate is set to be the race of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, with the increasing likelihood that Godolphin's in-form galloper Hartnell will take on defending champion Winx in Australia's greatest weight-for-age race at Moonee Valley on October 22.

According to website AustralianGambling.com, Hartnell is a $3.50 favorite for the $3 million Caulfield Cup (2400-meter), to be run the week before the Cox Plate. But after a brilliant win in the Turnbull Stakes last weekend, the likelihood of a clash with Winx at Moonee Valley has increased.

Hartnell won the Group 1 race at Flemington by 3.25 lengths and was immediately moved to a $3.75 second favorite on the Cox Plate odds behind Winx, who is the $2.00 top pick.

Winx will have one more run in her lead-up as favorite in Saturday's Caulfield Stakes. If she is to win that as expected she will take a 12-run unbeaten streak into the Cox Plate, which she won in record time last year.

Global training powerhouse Godolphin are likely to make a decision on Hartnell's next race this week, but the decision of Hartnell's jockey James McDonald not to challenge a suspension he received has fueled speculation the horse is headed to the Cox Plate.

The suspension means McDonald would not be able to ride Hartnell in the Caulfield Cup, and the fact he has accepted the ban so readily indicates he knows that Hartnell won't run in that race.

The Caulfield Cup market would be turned on its head should Hartnell not run, with Jameka, the second pick at $4.40, set to be elevated to the favorite. Godolphin's European stayer Scottish is at $11.00 and would be much shorter without Hartnell in the race.

Outside of Winx and Hartnell, the next two in Cox Plate betting, Black Heart Bart and Lucia Valentina (both $13.00), are set to take on Winx in Saturday's Caulfield Stakes. The United States, $15.00 in Cox Plate markets, could run in either the Caulfield Stakes or the Herbert Power Handicap on Saturday.

French galloper Vadamos, a winner of eight of his 18 starts, has arrived in Melbourne and is a $17.00 chance for the Cox Plate.

Meanwhile, Hartnell is now the $6 favorite for the Melbourne Cup on November 1 off his win in the Turnbull Stakes.