The Cox Plate has been suggested as a surprise possible option for three-time Group 1 winner Paddington

In an interview with RSN Racing And Sport, Coolmore's Tom Magnier said "We're going to be chatting about that over the next couple of days [bringing horses to Australia].

"When you look at Paddington, he is the best 3-year-old in Europe. Obviously, we've got Auguste Rodin that won the English Derby–he's a machine, but I was looking at Paddington and what he is doing is breathtaking. I don't know if anybody saw him running in the Coral-Eclipse the other day, the race Dubai Honour was in… that was an unbelievable field and he just decimated them. He is an absolute superstar.

"You'd have to think that if he lined up in a Cox Plate, he'd be very hard to beat. I'm not saying that that's going to happen, but we obviously hold Australian racing in very high regard and bringing a horse like Paddington down for a Cox Plate… it would be tempting and very exciting."

Run at Moonee Valley in Melbourne over ten furlongs, the Cox Plate has an illustrious winner's roster including four-time victor Winx (2015/16/17/18), Verry Elleegant (2021) and the recently retired Anamoe (2022). This year's renewal will be held on Saturday 28 October.

In a statement made on 19 July, the Moonee Valley Racing Club announced that the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes, held at York on 23 August would become a 'win and you're in' race for this year's Cox Plate. Paddington is currently the second-favourite for the contest behind Royal Ascot victor Mostahdaf.

Paddington has gone from strength-to-strength this season, having begun his campaign by winning a Naas handicap in late March. Following back-to-back Group 1 victories over a mile in the Irish 2000 Guineas and the St James's Palace Stakes, the Siyouni colt successfully stepped up to ten furlongs when defeating Emily Upjohn in the Eclipse Stakes. His next engagement is expected to be the Group 1 Sussex Stakes at the Glorious Goodwood meeting on 2 August.