Almond Eye and Crystal Ocean feature in Cox Plate international invites

Japanese star Almond Eye, three-time Group 1 runner-up Crystal Ocean and recent Prix d'Ispahan winner Zabeel Prince head 11 international invites for the A$5million Labdrokes Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on October 26.

Prix d'Harcourt scorer Ghaiyyath, the Saeed Bin Suroor-trained Benbatl and Best Solution and Tattersalls Gold Cup winner Magical complete the British and Irish-trained invitees.

Almond Eye, a 25-1 shot to land the Cox Plate with bet365, won the Group 1 Dubai Turf in March, a race last year won by fellow invitee Benbatl.

“The Cox Plate has long been renowned as ‘the race where legends are made’ and with A$5 million in prize-money elevating the race to the world’s richest Group 1 1m2f metre turf race, we’re working to assemble a race for the ages and to write a new chapter in the history books,” said Michael Browell, Moonee Valley Racing Club CEO.

“Winx has undoubtedly helped elevate the status of our legendary race overseas and without her presence this year the invitations will be made even more attractive to connections of these star international horses.”

Crystal Ocean: among 11 international invites for the Cox PlateCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Having worked with Racing Victoria to identify suitable candidates for the race, invited horses will have all expenses covered by the Moonee Valley Racing Club if they choose to travel to Australia.

The MVRC has continued its pursuit in targeting Japanese runners and as such have issued invitations to four Group 1 winners from the jurisdiction.

Alongside Almond Eye, top-level winners Aerolithe, Indy Champ and Kiseki have been invited, while a name familiar to Australian racegoers will be Kluger, who finished a brave second to Winx in the 2019 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in April.

The only Japanese runner to have ever contested the W.S. Cox Plate previously was Tosen Dandy in 2005, prior to the international invitations being introduced in 2012.

“The MVRC’s international strategy was first introduced in 2013 in an effort to attract the best possible field of ten-furlong thoroughbreds and since the introduction of international invitations nine horses have taken up the challenge,” said Paul Bloodworth, GM International & Racing Operations at Racing Victoria.

Magical and Ryan Moore run out easy winners of the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh in 2019

Magical: easy winner of the Tattersalls Gold Cup last monthCredit: Patrick McCann

“Racing Victoria plays a role in helping the club identify suitable horses and building relationships with these owners around the globe to entice them to compete throughout the Spring Racing Carnival.

“I’m confident the Club has positioned itself well to attract the best international competition and the countdown is well and truly on to the 2019 Ladbrokes Cox Plate."

The MVRC will continue to monitor the major racing carnivals around the globe and will issue further invitations if warranted, as was the case with Adelaide winning the Secretariat Stakes in 2014.