Winx clash unlikely to tempt Queen Anne hero Accidental Agent

A head-to-head between Winx and Accidental Agent – shock winner of the race Royal Ascot organisers hoped the Australian superstar would contest – is unlikely to get off the ground.

Accidental Agent, the 33-1 winner of the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes, was this week issued one of two additional invitations to the Ladbrokes Cox Plate, the prestigious Moonee Valley race in which Winx will seek an historic fourth win on October 27.

Watch Accidental Agent's Queen Anne Stakes win

However, trainer Eve Johnson Houghton may have to decline the offer as the race falls only seven days after the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot. Only Godolphin's Benbatl is set to take up the challenge out of the invitees, who include Cracksman and Roaring Lion.

"The Cox Plate does appeal but it clashes with the QEII and at the moment I'm leaning towards the QEII," said Johnson Houghton. "I haven't ruled the Cox Plate out entirely and I have told them that."

Accidental Agent, who will have his next start in the Prix Jacques le Marois on August 12, would be running over the course and distance of the Queen Anne if his connections opt for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, whereas in the Cox Plate he would be taking on a mare who has won 25 consecutive races to become the world's highest-rated racehorse.

Winx: the wondermare wins a third Cox Plate at Moonee ValleyCredit: Graham Denholm

"It's a bit of a no-brainer, isn't it?" said Johnson Houghton. "It would be good fun but at the moment I'm leaning towards Ascot. I hadn't realised the Cox Plate was quite as early as that. I thought it was a lot later in the season and we could do both, but we can't."

Qatar Racing's Eclipse Stakes winner Roaring Lion could be running overseas come the autumn, but he is more likely to head west than east.

"Personally, as Roaring Lion is a three-year-old I would think it would be highly unlikely for the Cox Plate to be taken up this year," said Qatar Racing manager David Redvers.

"I would think it's probably the Qipco Champion Stakes or possibly the Breeders' Cup, but we are very much leaving the plans to John Gosden, who is nurturing him along very nicely."

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