El Segundo Wins the Cox Plate

Six-year-old gelding El Segundo romped home to win the 2007 Cox Plate, followed closely by Wonderful World, second, and Haradasun, third.

The event had looked very much an open race, although the amazing Miss Finland, winner of last year's Golden Slipper in Sydney and the Crown Oaks in Melbourne, was a hot favorite, followed by Haradasun and El Segundo in the pre-race betting.

Haradasun led most of the way and looked a winner until El Segundo headed off the leader in the straight, followed by Wonderful World. Miss Finland finished fourth.

At last year's Cox Plate, El Segundo placed second, after Fields of Omagh, with Pompeii Ruler, third.

The $3-million 2040-metre Cox Plate was run at Melbourne's Moonee Valley Racecourse just after 4.05pm, Australian eastern standard time.

As the countdown continued to the running of the Melbourne Cup, all eyes were on the Cox as a pointer to who could win Australia's greatest race on November 6.

In 2005, supermare Makybe Diva won the Cox Plate and went on to triumph in her third consecutive Melbourne Cup.

• Makybe Diva Wins 2005 Cox Plate
• This Year's Melbourne Cup