Turf: Red carpet for Aidan O’Brien’s stars

Racing Victoria and Moonee Valley Racing Club will consider rolling out the red carpet for Anthony Van Dyck and Circus Maximus.

Aidan O’Brien is open to bringing his star three-year-olds to the Cox Plate

Racing Victoria and Moonee Valley Racing Club will consider rolling out the red carpet for Anthony Van Dyck and Circus Maximus as Aidan O’Brien contemplates a high-powered Cox Plate tilt.

O’Brien, who won the 2014 Cox Plate with Adelaide, is open to the possibility of an invitation for his star three-year-olds — an overture that RV is keen to ­accommodate.

“I would be thinking that Bally­doyle would be looking for an invitation, potentially, for either Circus Maximus or Anthony Van Dyck, given their status,” RV’s international and racing general manager Paul Bloodworth said. “We’ll work with the club over the coming weeks as to whether or not they will issue that invitation to them.

“Any of his (O’Brien’s) 11 noms wouldn’t be out of place … but Anthony Van Dyck, Circus Maximus and Japan would be the three clear targets for the Moonee Valley Racing Club and RV for the Cox Plate this year.”

Two internationals, Japan’s Kluger and German Group I winner Danceteria, owned by Australian Bloodstock, have already accepted invitations to run in the Cox Plate on October 26.

Herald Sun