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2026 06 11

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The MVRC and the JRA will on Sunday offer the only international ‘Win and You’re In’ invitation for 2026 to contest this year’s Ladbrokes Cox Plate.

Takarazuka Kinen - Ladbrokes Cox Plate International Qualifier

The Moonee Valley Racing Club (MVRC) and the JRA (Japan Racing Association) will on Sunday offer the only international ‘Win and You’re In’ invitation for 2026 to the winner of the Group 1 Takarazuka Kinen to contest this year’s Ladbrokes Cox Plate.The 2200 metre turf contest to be conducted at Hanshin racecourse offers a purse of ¥651,000,000 (AUD $5.7 million) and has attracted a start-studded 18-horse line-up.The Takarazuka Kinen has been linked with ‘Australia’s Best Race’ since 2019 when the Yoshito Yahagi-trained superstar Lys Gracieux completed the famous double – becoming the first Japanese winner of the Ladbrokes Cox Plate.Sunday’s contest, one of two fan-voted races across the Japanese season, has attracted a quality line-up including the in form Croix du Nord who has returned with two Group 1 wins this year including the Tenno Sho (Spring) last start, last year’s impressive winner Meisho Tabaru, three-time G1 winner Regaleira and 2025 Dubai Sheema Classic winner Danon Decile.W.S. Cox Plate winning rider Damian Lane will partner the promising Museum Mile who has won five of his ten starts, including the G1 Arima Kinen at his most recent run at the end of last year.“The Takarazuka Kinen is an integral part of the Ladbrokes Cox Plate picture coming together each and every year and Sunday’s line-up promises to be a terrific renewal,” said Michael Browell, MVRC CEO.&nbsp;“The Ladbrokes Cox Plate has a strong linkage with Japan, and we are hoping the Takarazuka Kinen can unveil another contender to travel to Melbourne, just as Lys Gracieux did successfully.&nbsp;“The MVRC and Racing Victoria has recently been on the ground in Japan talking to connections and with the Royal Ascot festival next week as well, the Club will be watching closely how these key races unfold to identify our target horses.”The most recent Japanese horse to contest the Ladbrokes Cox Plate was the Mitsumasa Nakauchida-trained star Prognosis, who finished a brave second to Via Sistina in 2024.Sunday’s winner will receive a subsidy to travel to Melbourne for the Ladbrokes Cox Plate to be conducted at Flemington on October 24.&nbsp;Nominations for the 2026 Ladbrokes Cox Plate close on August 4.The Group 1 Takarazuka Kinen will jump as Race 11 at Hanshin on Sunday.

The Valley will once again play host to a leg of the National Pony Racing Series, with the Victorian event set to take place on 3 Point Motors William Reid Stakes Day, Saturday 22 March.A collaboration between Pony Club Australia and Thoroughbred Industry Careers (TIC), the series is designed to educate young riders on careers in the racing and breeding industry, giving them a taste of professional competition on major racedays.The series features six race meetings across Australia, culminating in the national finals in June. Before the Victorian leg, Ballarat hosted a Jumpstart weekend, where participants received riding instruction, horse health education, career insights, and rider fitness training.&nbsp;In preparation for their big moment on 3 Point Motors William Reid Stakes Day, competitors will also take part in a training day at The Valley to familiarise themselves with the track.On Saturday, two pony races will be held for state finalists aged 9 to 15. The first, over 450m at 11:30 am, is for ponies not exceeding 12.2hh, while the second, over 700m, is for ponies not exceeding 14hh. That event will take place following Race 3 on the card at 1:30 pm.&nbsp;Moonee Valley Racing Club has enjoyed its association with TIC and Pony Club Australia, providing young riders with the opportunity to gain experience on a major racing stage. The Valley hosted a leg of the first National Pony Racing Series in 2023, and last year on 3 Point Motors William Reid Stakes Day held a Shetland Pony Race.With the next generation of riders set to take centre stage once again, The Valley looks forward to another thrilling chapter in this growing series.

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