The 2013 Sportingbet Cox Plate remains on track to host its first European-trained runner in almost a decade. English pair Side Glance and Mull of Killough were among the 90 horses that were paid up for when first acceptances closed at noon on Tuesday.
Side Glance is in the care of Andrew Balding, while Mull of Killough is prepared by Jane Chapple-Hyam and both are booked to go into quarantine at Newmarket (UK) this Thursday.
Should they make it to the Valley’s 2040m starting point on 26 October they will become the first European competitors in the $3 million weight-for-age championship since German galloper Paolini finished 10th in 2004.
They were not the only invitees among the first acceptances with the Jonathan Pease-trained Maxios also paid up for. A decision on whether the Group 1-winning French star comes to Melbourne will be made after he runs in his homeland on Sunday.
Click to view Sportingbet Cox Plate first acceptances
Trevieres is the other international entrant who remains a Cox Plate chance. Owned by Kevin and Colleen Bamford, who celebrated Melbourne Cup success with Americain in 2010, Trevieres is prepared by Markus Nigge, father of Americain’s loyal strapper Stephanie.
The internationals will add spice to what shapes as a memorable Sportingbet Cox Plate with all the banner local entries remaining in contention, headlined by unbeaten mare Atlantic Jewel.
Puissance de Lune is also there, along with fellow high-profile imports Fiorente, Green Moon and Sea Moon, who was encouragingly paid up for despite pulling up sore after jumping away awkwardly in Saturday’s Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes.
Super Cool and It’s A Dundeel, who fought out the Mitchelton Wines Vase (2040m) on Cox Plate Day last year, head a powerful four-year-old contingent, while 18 three-year-olds remain among the entries.
Prince Harada, Fast ‘N’ Rocking and Long John are among the 15 colts or geldings entered, while Arabian Gold, Gregers and Guelph are those in contention to join Surround as the only filly to win the race.