Article posted on -  5/5/2008 11:49:54 AM

Herman Brown

BROWN AIMS DUBAI STARS AT AUSTRALIA

International interest in the 2008 Tatts Cox Plate is growing fast as the countdown continues to the Group 1 $3 million showdown on Saturday, October 25.

Today the Moonee Valley Racing Club received confirmation that South African stars Jay Peg, Mourilyan and Argonaut would all be aimed at the Race Where Legends Are Made.

South African trainer Herman Brown has contacted the MVRC and indicated that he's keen to bring Jay Peg, winner of the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free (1770m) at Nad Al Sheba and Mourilyan who ran 8th beaten 6 lengths in the Dubai Sheema Classic (2400m), to Australia for the Tatts Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup respectively.

Jay Peg will have his next start in the Singapore International Cup (2000m) on May 18.

The four-year-old will then return to Dubai for a short break before being aimed at the Melbourne Spring Carnival.

Also today, connections of multiple Group 1 winner Argonaut confirmed that they are planning to start him in the 2008 Tatts Cox Plate.

Top Victorian stud Blue Gum Farm recently purchased a 50 % share in the three-year-old colt and brought the horse to Australia in January to be trained by Lee Freedman at his Rye base.

Argonaut, a flashy looking chestnut, has won three of his four starts in South Africa - two of them at Group 1 level over 1600m and 1400m.

He has just completed an eight-week preparation with Freedman and is now enjoying a break.