There could be a strong British & Irish challenge heading down under for the Cox Plate in October.
One of Australia's most prestigious races, last year's winner Via Sistina -- formerly trained in the UK by George Boughey -- netted just shy of £2m for hitting the line in front at Moonee Valley.
Major redevelopment at the famous track will see the race ran at Flemington for the very first time in its 104-year long history.
Joseph O'Brien was the last European trainer to win the race with State Of Rest in 2021 and whilst he holds no entries this year both his father, Aidan, and brother, Donnacha, have early contenders.
It's Gstaad that is the highest profile entry and is 20/1 to give Aidan O'Brien his second win in the race after Adelaide strode to victory in 2014. If it wasn't for the brilliance of Bow Echo, he would be Britain and Ireland's top three-year-old colt after finishing runner-up to his great rival in three different Group 1s.
Causeway (25/1) and Hawk Mountain (50/1) are the other Ballydoyle entrants into the race, the former earning his spot after defeating Ancient Egypt in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot.
As it stands, it is Donnacha O'Brien who has the shortest European contender in the betting, his consistent three-year-old, A Boy Named Susie, earning quotes of 16/1 following his third behind Constitution River in the Eclipse.
Of the British challenge, it is Ghostwriter (25/1) who may hold the most outstanding claims. He cost Amo Racing an eye-watering £2m after several near misses in Group 1 company, but as of yet has failed to pay his connections back; his best effort a third place finish in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot.
Outstanding target trainer Emmet Mullins has also handed Paul Byrne's Zia Zabel (50/1) a fascinating entry. Byrne purchased the colt after he finished a close second to Causeway in the Gallinule Stakes and has subsequently moved him to Mullins' yard. The duo have combined for big race wins with the likes of Soldierinmilan and The Shunter in the past and look like they're planning another audacious raid with their son of Ghaiyyath.
Any odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation.
