Hall: Calandagan the biggest Cox Plate drawcard since Romantic Warrior

Calandagan was the world’s highest rated horse in 2025, and he could be on his way to Australia for the 2026 Cox Plate (2040m) at Flemington.

The Francis-Henri Graffard-trained five-year-old has nine victories from 16 starts, winning over $12 million in prize money.

In the Group 1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic across 2414m at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai on Saturday, the gelding collected his fifth straight victory.

After the race, the trainer told Dubai Racing Club that Calandagan may be making a Cox Plate tilt this year, especially due to the prestigious Group 1 being run at Flemington, not Moonee Valley.

“The Cox Plate could be a possibility, especially this year at Flemington, which is a big galloping track,” Graffard revealed.

In light of this news, Gareth Hall asked the question on RSN’s Correct Weight: Would Calandagan start favourite over Autumn Glow in the Cox Plate?

“I don't think he would,” Trav Noonan answered.

“If Autumn Glow continues what she's been doing and remains unbeaten heading towards the Cox Plate.

“It would prove pretty hard to take over favouritism from an Australian superstar, I would have thought.”

Despite Noonan believing that the overseas runner wouldn’t start favourite ahead of Australia’s current best horse, the form analyst exclaimed how exciting the prospect of Calandagan travelling to Australia is.

“He's obviously an extremely good horse, Calandagan, with his win in the Japan Cup (2400m) and in the Dubai Sheema Classic,” Noonan continued.

“It’s exciting that it's even getting mentioned as a reality, whether it ends up coming to fruition is another thing but it sounded like in the interview with Henri Graffard, it is very much on the radar.

“With the race being run at Flemington this year, it could really suit one of the world's best, so it's exciting.”

Hall echoed that sentiment, even going as far to say that Graffard’s five-year-old travelling down under would be the “biggest drawcard” for the Cox Plate since Hong Kong superstar Romantic Warrior back in 2023.

“It would be the biggest drawcard the Cox Plate has had, probably since Romantic Warrior,” Hall claimed.

“And he would have a better resumé than Romantic Warrior did when he came out.

“It would do wonders for the Cox Plate.”

Autumn Glow is currently the $3 to win the 2026 Cox Plate with Sportsbet, while Calandagan is the equal second favourite alongside Aeliana at $4.50.

The Cox Plate will be run on October 24 at Flemington.

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