Racing: Memorable Cox Plate moments

The Diva

The scene at the home turn in last year's Cox Plate resembled something out of the movie The Charge of the Light Brigade.

As the field thundered into the straight it appeared the entire 14 runners were fanned out across the track but all eyes were on the red, white and blue colours of the mighty Makybe Diva.

The then dual Melbourne Cup-winner was the even-money favourite and big-race specialist Glen Boss rode her in his usual confident manner, letting the mare drop out to have only three runners behind her early.

When the race tempo quickened at the 900m he gave the champion more rein and she strolled up behind her rivals.

Boss still had a good hold of Makybe Diva as she joined the charge around the turn seven or eight wide and exploded away down the straight.

She put paid to her opposition in a couple of bounds and had more than a length to spare over Lotteria and 2003 winner Fields of Omagh on the line.

The crowd went crazy in what was to be a dress rehearsal for her emotional farewell 10 days later when she raced herself into equine immortality with her historic third Melbourne Cup success.

The King

"Kingston Town can't win."

The four most famous words in Cox Plate history came from commentator Bill Collins as the 1982 field thundered towards the home turn.

Not many disagreed with his opinion at the time as the big horse's bid for equine immortality looked very shaky. Indeed, when he was that far back victory seemed an impossibility.

But as only true champions can, Kingston Town rallied under Peter Cook in the straight to run down Grosvenor, who was in receipt of 10.5kg from the Tommy Smith-trained legend, and almost unbelievably scored his third successive win in Australasia's weight-for-age championship.

The race of the century

Even television replays of the 1986 Cox Plate still send shivers down the spine.

Two great New Zealanders, Bonecrusher and (Our) Waverley Star, treated the thousands on-course and countless more watching on TV to one of the most breathtaking spectacles in the history of the Australian turf.

Just a fortnight after romping home by five lengths in the group one Caulfield Stakes (2000m), Bonecrusher was sent out the odds-on favourite for the Cox Plate and regular rider Gary Stewart had him back with the tailenders until making a lightning move forward at the 900 metres.

Champion Kiwi jockey Lance O'Sullivan on (Our) Waverley Star was awake to the tactic and responded immediately with the pair clearing out from the rest of the field at the 600m.

From there on it was anybody's guess. First Waverley Star looked to have the ascendancy then Bonecrusher rallied before Waverley Star invariably kicked back and the pair went to the line locked together with Bonecrusher prevailing by a neck in what has subsequently been dubbed the "Race Of The Century".

- AAP