Superstar jockey Joao Moreira was booked for Vadamos in Saturday's Cox Plate after Damien Oliver was suspended for reckless riding. But  Moreira could be grounded by the typhoon, along with Sam Clipperton, who is set to return to ride English in the Manikato Stakes on Friday.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club has a policy of releasing contracted jockeys for group 1 rides but requires them not to miss any meeting in the racing mecca. The likelihood of typhoon hitting Hong Kong would stop any release of jockeys.

"The jockeys are due to leave Hong Kong on Thursday, but the concern is not them leaving but will they be able to get back here to ride on Sunday," Hong Kong steward Steve Railton said. "There are two typhoons in the region and the one is supposed to hit Hong Kong on Friday and Saturday. We have to make the call on if they will be allowed to go before Thursday and have communicated that to [Racing Victoria chief steward] Terry Bailey and his panel in Victoria, so they are prepared.

"We had a situation last year where Joao Moreira and Zac Purton were not able to get back for one our meetings after group 1 rides in October and being our two champion riders it had a significant effect on betting turnover.

"With our racing and the smaller group of jockeys if Joao Moreira and Sam Clipperton were unable to get back it would mean significant late changes to riders, because they would both have full books, and flow-on effects on turnover."

Clipperton is preparing either way. "My flights and hotel is booked and I'm preparing as if I'm going to win another group 1 on English," he said. "I can't control the weather, but I have my responsibilities to the club and if they say I can't go I won't be."

Racing Victoria was monitoring the situation. It's deputy chief steward, Robert Cram, said: "Hong Kong has told us that they would not release jockeys if they can not return for Sunday's meeting.

"Connections have been made aware of this and to prepare by having a jockey on standby if the Hong Kong jockeys cannot make the trip."

Gai Waterhouse, who trains English, spoke of her experience with typhoons in Hong Kong.

"I have been there when there was a typhoon warning and the storm never came," Waterhouse said. "These poor jockeys could be grounded and it might not come.

"We will prepare with someone in the wings but we are hoping we might not need the understudy."

Cox Plate barrier draw

Cox Plate favourite Winx has taken the advantaged over Hartnell following the barrier draw.

Defending champion Winx was the second horse out in the draw and owner Peter Tighe walked up and took barrier three.

"I had wanted four but three will have to do," he said.

Winx was made the $2.20 favourite by Ladbrokes straight after the draw with Hartnell out to $3.20.

Hartnell had to wait until late in the draw and was left with gate seven, which is alongside Godolphin stablemate Hauraki in gate eight.

Asked if he was concerned about Winx's good draw, Hartnell's trainer John O'Shea quipped, "I am concerned she is in the race.

"She is champion mare and it is going to be very good contest."

Hartnell was fifth beaten 10 lengths in the Cox Plate last year, but James McDonald takes confident from three wins in a row, including the Turnbull Stakes last start.

"He is going much better. He is lovely relaxed horse now," McDonald said.

Hugh Bowman has an air of confidence when he talks of winning another Cox Plate with Winx, which has won the George Main and Caulfield Stakes at her past two start to make it 12 wins in a row.

"She has thrived since that last run and she is ready to go," Bowman said.

Cox Plate

1 Happy Trials 10 Ben Melham 59 $126

2 Black Heart Bart 6 Brad Rawiller 59 $17

3 Hartnell 7 James McDonald 59 $3.40

4 Hauraki 8 Dwayne Dunn 59 $17

5 Happy Clapper 4 Brenton Avdulla 59 $67

6 Vadamos 2 Joao Moreira 59 $13

7 Awesome Rock 5 Stephen Baster 59 $67

8 Winx 3 Hugh Bowman 57 $2.15

9 Lucia Valentina 9 Kerrin McEvoy 57 $21

10 Yankee Rose 1 Dean Yendall 47.5 $13

Manikato Stakes

1 Buffering 2 Damian Browne 58.5 $11

2 Chautauqua 1 Dwayne Dunn 58.5 $2.25

3 Lucky Hussler 10 Brad Rawiller 58.5 $9.50

4 Under The Louvre 5 Chris Parnham 58.5 $19

5 Rebel Dane 4 Ben Melham 58.5 $41

6 The Quarterback 11 Matt Allen 58.5 $16

7 Japonisme 8 Glyn Schofield 58.5 $41`

8 Fell Swoop 3 Hugh Bowman 58.5 $14

9 Holler 7 James McDonald 58.5 $14

10 English 9 Sam Clipperton 56.5 $8.50

11 Capitalist 6 Kerrin McEvoy 53 $5.50

Markets from Ladbrokes