The international presence in the Cox Plate 2016 field is set to be strong this spring with confirmation this week both French raider Vadamos and English galloper Tryster will head down under for a shot at Australia’s weight-for-age championship.

A strong international contingent will challenge Winx (pictured) in her Cox Plate title defence this October at Moonee Valley. Photo: Steve Hart.

Earlier this month Racing Victoria (RV) took 87 first acceptances for the $3 million Group 1 W.S. Cox Plate (2040m), running at Moonee Valley Racecourse on Saturday October 22.

Eleven of those entries are internationals, including the Andre Fabre-trained Vadamos and Godolphin hopeful Tryster confirmed to enter quarantine this week ahead of a trip to Melbourne to take on superstar mare Winx as she defends her Cox Plate title.

Monsun stallion Vadamos is the shorter-priced of the duo in all-in Cox Plate odds at Ladbrokes.com.au paying $21 in markets dominated by the Chris Waller-trained Street Cry mare Winx ($2.40).

Shamardal gelding Tryster meanwhile is prepared at Newmarket in the UK by Charlie Appleby and is a current $26 chance in all-in Cox Plate betting to hand Godolphin their first Cox Plate trophy.

“It’s a fantastic result to have two international horses confirmed to compete in one of Australia’s most prestigious races prepared by globally renowned trainers Andre Fabre and Godolphin’s Charlie Appleby,” RV’s international recruitment manager Leigh Jordan said.

Vadamos was last seen racing at Chantilly on Sunday, September 11, winning the Group 1 Qatar Prix Moulin Longchamp Stakes (1600m) by 1.3 lengths after an on-pace ride that saw him reach over $1 million in total career prize money.

“Vadamos was a dominant winner in the Group 1 Qatar Prix Du Moulin Longchamp recently and has campaigned really well this preparation and brings some strong international form to the race,” Jordon said.

Fellow six-year-old Tryster meanwhile is out to improve on his last start eighth behind Mondialiste in the USA’s Grade 1 Arlington Million Stakes (2000m) from mid-August.

He too is a Group 1 winner having taken out the Group 1 Jebel Hatta Stakes (1800m) in Dubai as the odds-on favourite back in early March.

Tryster also ran a brave third in the lucrative $8 million Group 1 Dubai Turf (1800m) behind Real Steel a fortnight later as the beaten favourite.

Over the 2000m distance of the Cox Plate however Tryster boasts an outstanding record of six wins and a third from 11 goes, a big plus heading into the classic this Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.

“Godolphin continue to show their hunger to win Australia’s premier races and Tryster reignites their Cox Plate participation – he has been highly competitive at Group 1 company this year and holds an exceptional 2000 metre record,” Jordon said.

The pair are set to touch down in Australia on October 1 during the AFL Grand Final long weekend.

As for the reigning Cox Plate hero Winx, she attempts an eleventh straight win this Saturday in Sydney taking on just seven rivals in the $500,000 Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick.

She currently pays just $1.16 in George Main Stakes betting at Ladbrokes.com.au to secure her seventh elite level victory, Hugh Bowman continuing his association from barrier six.

To back Winx this weekend at hottest odds make sure you check out the exclusive George Main Stakes promotion at Ladbrokes.com.au.