Invite down under for Frankel Frankel has been given an invitation by the Moonee Valley Racing Club for the Sportingbet Cox Plate on October 27. It is unlikely Sir Henry Cecil will follow in the path of Black Caviar's trainer Peter Moody by taking his superstar to compete on the other side of the world for the AUS$3 million contest, but the Australian authority are trying to attract major names. MVRC chairman Bob Scarborough said: "Frankel is widely regarded in the northern hemisphere as a once-in-a-generation champion thoroughbred. "All of his victories have been dominant, and he is clearly better than the current crop of UK middle distance horses. "Just as Black Caviar has accepted the challenge to step out of her comfort zone and travel halfway around the world to prove that she is without peer in the sprinting ranks at Royal Ascot, I am hopeful that the connections of Frankel will accept our invitation to travel to Melbourne to contest the weight-for-age championship of the southern hemisphere - the Sportingbet Cox Plate." The likes of Cirrus Des Aigles, Monterosso, Planteur, Excelebration, Cityscape and Golden Lilac have all been given invitations for the race. Racing Victoria international recruitment officer Leigh Jordon said: "I have worked closely with the Moonee Valley team to evaluate the international form over the past 12 months, and we have agreed on the 10 leading contenders that we believe could win the 2012 Cox Plate. "The invitation to compete in the Cox Plate is highly sought after, with the MVRC fully subsidising all expenses incurred in travelling to Melbourne. "Whilst we have seen international winners of both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, the Cox Plate has remained an elusive prize for international competitors."
