Star Latrobe a Cox chance

IRISH Derby winner Latrobe could throw down the gauntlet to Winx after Melbourne Cup-winning Joseph O’Brien revealed the star colt is among the Cox Plate entries.

Owned by Lloyd and Nick Williams, Latrobe is one of several O’Brien contenders in line for a trip to Australia.

O’Brien, who won last year’s Melbourne Cup with Rekindling, confirmed Latrobe is among the nominations for the $5 million Cox Plate on October 27.

“I entered Latrobe in the Cox Plate this morning and Australia is definitely an option,” O’Brien told the Racing Post.

“The Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup are a long way off, though, and York (possibly the Juddmonte International) will tell us a lot more.

“We’ll see how he gets on there and then decide whether Australia is the best option for him.”

O’Brien’s father Aidan could also be represented at Moonee Valley by Hunting Horn and Lucius Tiberius.

The pair has been sent to Chicago for the Secretariat Stakes, following the pathway of Adelaide and Highland Reel, who was third to Winx in the champion’s first Cox Plate win in 2015.

The Longines world’s toprated racehorse, Winx chases an unprecedented fourth successive Cox Plate victory in October.

Joseph O’Brien said Latrobe has thrived since victory at the Curragh in June.

“He seems very well. He’s a big horse and I’d like to think he’ll continue to progress as the year goes on,” he said.

“You have to remember he was having only his fifth start when winning the Irish Derby, so for him to do what he did was very special.

“He’s lightly raced and I’ve been very happy with what I’ve seen from him at home. York will tell us a lot and I’m looking forward to seeing how he gets on there.”

Moonee Valley Racing Club officials will release the Cox Plate nominations later today. Entries for the Caulfield Guineas and Thousand Guineas will also be unveiled.