Cox’s effort in training five of the eight winners at Wangaratta on December 20 catapulted him into the company of Peter Moody, Mick Burles, Aidan O’Brien and Andreas Wohler as this year’s nominees.

The medal is named after the Hall of Fame trainer and is awarded to the most outstanding trainer of the season as voted by a panel nominated by the Australian Trainers’ Association.

Cox said it was a huge shock.

“It’s a big honour for sure and very unexpected,” Cox said yesterday.

“I think it’s good for the owners and people you work with.

“They all do a good job.

“You don’t expect these things at all.”

Cox’s winning horses at Wangaratta were Jazz Musician, Baby Jack, Dalrada, Wilscot and Bay of Biscay.

Moody was nominated for the successful return to racing of his top class four-year-old Dissident that recorded an impressive win in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m), Burles for crafting the preparation of The Cleaner in the Group 2 Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) and the Group 3 JRA Cup (2040m) and O’Brien for Adelaide’s win in the Cox Plate.

Wohler trained Protectionist to victory in the Melbourne Cup.

Previous winners of the award include Mick Price (2014), Moody (2011, 2012), Bart Cummings (2000 2009, 2010), Mark Kavanagh (2008), David Hayes (2007) and Lee Freedman (2005, 2006).