Armory will fly the flag for Aidan O'Brien in the 100th running of the Oct. 24 Cox Plate (G1) at Moonee Valley after the trainer's other intended challenger, Magic Wand, was ruled out.
The 3-year-old heads to Moonee Valley after a promising display behind Magical and Ghayyaith in the Irish Champion Stakes (G1) and goes in search of a first victory at group 1 level.
Touted as his trainer's top juvenile colt last season, the son of Galileo failed to hit the heights many expected, going winless in five starts following victory in the Galileo Irish E.B.F Futurity Stakes (G2) at the Curragh.
However, a return to the winner's enclosure in the Irish Field Celebrating 150 Years Royal Whip Stakes (G3) Aug. 14 followed, and he bids to give his trainer a second victory in the AU$5 million contest after Adelaide's success in 2014.
O'Brien said: "Armory seems well, and everything has gone well up here and down there as well. We're hoping he runs a good race."
The trainer had hoped to run Magic Wand again in a race in which she finished fourth last season, but the globe-trotting mare was ruled out Oct. 23 after failing to recover from a stone bruise.
But the European challenge is bolstered by the Roger Charlton-trained Aspetar, who arrives in Australia fresh after making just two starts in 2020.
The Sky Bet York Stakes (G2) winner was due to run in the Juddmonte International (G1) in August before being a late withdrawal but is now on course to challenge for what would be his second group 1 success.
Charlton said: "I feel very lucky to have a runner in such a special race as the 100th running of the Cox Plate. Aspetar has traveled many times before, which will hold him in good stead, and I expect him to be suited by the track.
"He seems to have regained his weight since going over there, and all the reports I have had have been good. He drew stall 3, which is a good place to be, and he could well sit in from there."
The withdrawal of Magic Wand has opened the door for first reserve Buckhurst for the Melbourne Cup-winning connection of trainer Joseph O'Brien and owner Lloyd Williams.
The 4-year-old finished seventh in the Stella Artois Caulfield Cup (G1) on his last start, but his trainer is expecting more this time from a colt with three group 3 victories to his name.
"He has come out of his run in Caulfield very well, and we'd be hoping he gets a share of the prize money at least," O'Brien said. "He ran well at Caulfield, and the race wasn't run ideally, either."
Australian-trained horses assume the two top slots in the market, with dual group 1 winner Russian Camelot the current 3-1 favorite with bet365 despite being drawn widest in stall 15.
Trained by Danny O'Brien, Russian Camelot was the runner-up in the Neds Caulfield Stakes (G1) when last seen by Arcadia Queen, who is a general 11-2 shot as the pair get set to clash again.
Danny O'Brien said: "The horse is very adaptable. He's won outside the leader, and he came from last to win the South Australian Derby.
"The most important thing is we are thrilled with the horse. He's going there in the best possible shape."
Also included in the 14-runner field is Sir Dragonet, who finished fifth when favorite for last year's Investec Derby (G1) at Epsom and who makes his first start for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace since leaving Aidan O'Brien.
