JUST A Way, the Japanese champion, heads the Cox Plate invitation list of international horses.

Rated the world’s best horse, Just A Way, a winner of four Group 1 races at his past four starts, has been offered a fully subsidised trip to Australia.

Such an offer extends to the other nine horse, which includes the John Moore trained triumvirate Dan Excel, Designs On Rome and Military Attack.

Moore has already committed to bring Dan Excel, winner of last month’s Singapore International Cup, to Australia and he’s due to arrive in August.

French horse Cirrus des Aigles, who defeated Arc winner Treve in late April and last weekend won the Coronation Cup, his sixth Group 1, is another to receive an invitation.

Godolphin’s African Story, a winner of the Dubai World Cup, has been invited. African Story would not be Godolphin’s first runner as Grandera ran a close third behind Northerly in 2002 for owner Sheikh Mohammed.

Also extended an invitation is the Jim Bolger-trained Mukhadram, runner-up behind African Story in the Dubai World Cup.

Frankel’s brother Noble Mission, a winner of the Group 1 Tatt’s Gold Cup, has secured an invitation as has Irish Derby winner Trading Leather and French horse Smoking Sun, runner-up behind Dan Excel in Singapore International Cup.

Moonee Valley Racing Club chairman Bob Scarborough said the club is committed to inviting the wfa champions of the world to contest the Sportingbet Cox Plate each year.

Scarborough said the club was was thrilled that Side Glance and Mull of Killough paved the way for internationals in 2013 as both preformed admirably with Side Glance continuing on to win the Mackinnon Stakes.

“The international racing landscape is forever changing and we are now seeing a large contingent of horses not only travelling overseas, but winning international group races,” Scarborough said.

“I am hopeful that the connections of the best wfa horses in the world will accept our invitation to travel to Melbourne to contest the Weight-For-Age Championship in the southern hemisphere – the Sportingbet Cox Plate and attempt to become the first international horse to claim the crown”.

Club CEO Michael Browell said an extensive analysis had been undertaken to find the best possible horse to bring to Moonee Valley for the weight-for-age championship of Australia.

“The Moonee Valley team has evaluated the international form over the past 12 months and we have agreed on the ten leading contenders that we believe could win the 2014 Cox Plate,” Browell said.

Browell added that international form will continue to be monitored over the next eight week and further invitations may be issued.

Entries for the $3 million Sportingbet Cox Plate close on August 5.