Racing: Able Friend heads Cox Plate wish list

Photo / Thinkstock

Hong Kong star Able Friend is among 12 international horses invited to contest this year's A$3 million Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.

The Moonee Valley Racing Club invites the connections of selected overseas horses to attract high-quality participation in the October 25 race.

Aidan O'Brien-trained Adelaide last year became the first horse trained outside Australasia to win the Cox Plate.

Four-time group one winner Able Friend, who is in England preparing for the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, is one of four Hong Kong-trained horses to be invited.

His John Moore-trained stablemate Dan Excel, the winner of the last two Singapore Airlines International Cups, also received a call-up.

Japanese horse Tosen Stardom, France's Gailo Chop, English galloper The Great Gatsby and Military Attack from Hong Kong are among the other invitees.

In other news from across the Ditch, Equine Veterinarians Australia says any practitioner misusing cobalt should be banned but also says vets need not be licensed by racing authorities. The EVA is a special interest group of the Australian Veterinary Association and has long opposed Racing NSW's attempts to license all those who deal with horses.

A Melbourne vet, Dr Tom Brennan, has been charged by Victorian stewards in relation to illegal levels of cobalt found in horses from the Mark Kavanagh and Danny O'Brien stables. Kavanagh and O'Brien have also been charged.

Brennan has also appeared before Racing NSW stewards in a case against Sydney trainer Sam Kavanagh.

"Cobalt use in the racing industry is a serious animal welfare issue. Any vet who seriously breaches the rules of racing by misusing cobalt should be removed from the profession," an EVA statement said.

- AAP