For the twelfth time in the W.S. Cox Plate’s 96 year history, the Weight-For-Age Championship of Australasia will boast international representation with connections of Vadamos (France) and Tryster (Great Britain) confirming both horses will enter quarantine this week for the $3 million William Hill Cox Plate (2040m) on October 22.
Both Group 1 winners, the six-year-olds hail from two of the world’s leading stables and will pose a challenge to the reigning William Hill Cox Plate champion and current race favourite, Winx.
“It’s a fantastic result to have two international horses confirmed to compete in one of Australia’s most prestigious races prepared by globally renowned trainers Andre Fabre and Godolphin’s Charlie Appleby,” said Racing Victoria’s International Recruitment Manager Leigh Jordon.
The Andre Fabre trained Vadamos saluted in Chantilly on Sunday evening with a 1¼ length victory in the Group 1 Qatar Prix Du Moulin Longchamp. Controlling the speed from the front in a six horse field over 1600 metres, the win was the son of Monsun’s eighth career victory and took his earnings past $1 million.
The French stallion has also been successful in two Group 2 events and boasts a second placing to the world class Solow and fourth to Longines World’s Best Racehorse A Shin Hikari in May.
“Vadamos was a dominant winner in the Group 1 Qatar Prix Du Moulin Longchamp recently and has campaigned really well this preparation and brings some strong international form to the race,” explained Jordon.
Tryster will attempt to give global giant Godolphin their first W.S. Cox Plate under the guidance of English trainer Charlie Appleby. The gelding by Shamardal was successful in Dubai at the beginning of 2016 winning the Group 1 Jebel Hatta and finished third in the $8 million Group 1 Dubai Turf.
Having saluted at nine of his 15 starts, Tryster has been most successful over 2000 metres with six victories.
“Godolphin continue to show their hunger to win Australia’s premier races and Tryster reignites their Cox Plate participation – he has been highly competitive at Group 1 company this year and holds an exceptional 2000 metre record,” Jordon explained.
Godolphin came close to winning the W.S Cox Plate in 2002 when the Saeed Bin Suroor-trained Grandera finished third behind Northerly and Defier ridden by Frankie Dettori. Hartnell finished fifth for John O’Shea in 2016 and looks a strong chance in this year’s edition following his recent triumph in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes.
International horses first competed in the W.S. Cox Plate in 1999 with the Dermot Weld trained Make No Mistake. 2016 marks the twelfth year the race has had international participation with 20 internationals having represented nine countries.
The Aidan O’Brien trained Adelaide was the first and only international winner of the race in 2014 ridden by Ryan Moore. Highland Reel finished second in 2015 and was one of eleven invites issued by the Moonee Valley Racing Club in June, 2016. Highland Reel is still a possibility to accept the invitation and the Club is awaiting a response from the O’Brien stable.
Horses that receive an invitation are covered for all costs associated with transporting horses to Melbourne to contest the William Hill Cox Plate.
“The confirmation of Vadamos and Tryster to compete in the William Hill Cox Plate adds an exciting dimension to what is already shaping up as an exciting 96th edition of our great race,” said Moonee Valley Racing Club CEO Michael Browell.
“Winx has continued her winning run following last year’s victory and has deservedly dominated conversations surrounding the race, but two international Group 1 winners along with a strong local contingent are sure to provide her with some tough competition,” Browell explained.
William Hill have both horses currently $21 in their updated markets.
Both horses will enter quarantine this week and arrive in Australia on October 1.
Second declarations for the $3 million Group 1 William Hill Cox Plate close at 12 noon on Tuesday 20th September 2016.