The Moonee Valley Racing Club has issued two further invitations to contest the $5 million Cox Plate at The Valley on October 26.
Invitations have been sent to the David Menuisier trained Danceteria (UK) and the Kevin Prendergast trained Madhmoon (Ireland) for the 99th running of the W.S. Cox Plate, sponsored by Ladbrokes.
The Australian Bloodstock owned four year-old Danceteria took out the Group 1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis in Munich on Sunday in impressive fashion following his eye-catching fourth to Enable in the Group 1 Coral Eclipse Stakes.
Three year-old Madhmoon, owned by Melbourne Cup winning owner Sheikh Hamdan, was a two-year-old Group 2 winner and in his subsequent season has run fourth in the Group 1 Qipco 2000 Guineas behind Magna Grecia and second in the Investec Derby Stakes behind Anthony Van Dyck. His most recent run in the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby saw him have no luck, finishing fourth behind Sovereign after closing strongly.
“The Club is delighted to offer Danceteria and Madhmoon invitations to compete in the 2019 Cox Plate and both would be exciting additions to the race,” said Michael Browell, Moonee Valley Racing Club CEO.
“Working in close consultation with Racing Victoria, we are constantly monitoring key races overseas and rewarding horses with invitations to come to The Valley to compete in our legendary race.”
“We are really confident of securing high-quality international horses to the race from the invitations we have previously sent”, said Browell.
“Both horses have warranted an invitation to the Ladbrokes Cox Plate and we are hopeful that they will accept to take part in the race,” said Paul Bloodworth, General Manager, International and Racing Operations.
“Danceteria is rated 115 and has been on our radar for some time and showed he was a serious contender after his Group 1 win in Munich, while Madhmoon is rated 117 and is a serious X factor horse for the Cox Plate.”
Ladbrokes.com.au have both invitees in their 2019 Cox Plate odds and rate Danceteria as an $11 chance, with Madhmoon rated a $21 chance.
The first round of nominations for the Cox Plate close on Tuesday 6 August.
