Cox Plate ballot exemption up for grabs

A ballot exemption for the Cox Plate is up for grabs when a quality field clashes in the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes.

Saturday's Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley has a capacity field of 14 plus one emergency, with the winner earning a free ticket into October's weight-for-age Group One Cox Plate (2040m).

Thirteen of the 15 entries for Saturday's Group Two race hold Cox Plate nominations.

Popular gelding The Cleaner is at $13 to win for the third straight year, while premier trainer Darren Weir has a strong hand with four runners including Japanese horse Tosen Stardom who is the $5 favourite.

The Robert Hickmott-trained Ranvet Stakes winner The United States is at $6.50, just ahead of Mahuta, Miss Rose De Lago and Jameka at $7.

The Hawkes Racing-trained Entirely Platinum is the emergency.