European stars firm for Cox Plate

French star Calandagan and Irish galloper A Boy Named Susie enhanced their Cox Plate credentials with impressive Group 1 performances in Europe over the weekend.

Calandagan bounced back from his disappointing Coronation Cup effort to claim the Grand Prix de Saint Cloud with a powerful finishing burst, recording his sixth Group 1 victory.

Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard confirmed the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot is the five-year-old’s next target, with his spring plans, including a possible Cox Plate campaign, yet to be finalised.

Meanwhile, A Boy Named Susie finished a strong second to outstanding three-year-old Constitution River in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown.

Trainer Donnacha O’Brien has flagged the Cox Plate as a potential target, aiming to emulate his father Aidan and brother Joseph, who have both won Australia’s weight-for-age championship.

The performances keep both internationals firmly in contention for the $6 million feature at Flemington in October.