El Segundo will have statistics on his side today.
The Colin Little-trained El Segundo has the No 1 saddlecloth, the most successful in Cox Plate history with 19 winners wearing it since the race's inception in 1922.
Dual Cox Plate winner Northerly (2001-2002) was the last horse to
win with the No 1 saddlecloth in 2002.
El Segundo also starts from barrier seven, a gate from which nine Cox Plate winners have jumped and which is also the most successful in the race.
If he wins, the six-year-old will become the ninth horse to claim victory in the Cox Plate after running second the previous year.
The others to do it were Solvit (1994), Super Impose (1992), Our Poetic Prince (1988), Dhaulagiri (1961) Hydrogen (1952), Tranquil Star (1942), Chatham (1932) and Easingwold (1923).
El Segundo is a bay, the same colour as 25 previous Cox Plate winners and the most successful ahead of chestnuts (23).
Several trainers who have won the race in the past have a runner on Saturday: David Hayes - Niconero, Miss Finland (Better Loosen Up 1990, Fields Of Omagh 2006); Graeme Rogerson - Zipping, Efficient (Savabeel 2004); Fred Kersley - Marasco (Northerly 2001-02); Bart Cummings - Wonderful World (Taj Rossi 1973, Saintly 1996, Dane Ripper 1997).
New Zealander Frank Ritchie, who trained Bonecrusher for his epic win over Our Waverley Star in 1986 will watch the race with son Shaune, who will be represented by Magic Cape.
Jockeys with a ride on Saturday who have won the race: Greg Childs - Lad Of The Manor (Sunline 1999, 2000); Damien Oliver - Haradasun (Dane Ripper 1997, Northerly 2001); Craig Williams - Miss Finland (Fields Of Omagh 2006).
