Champion Hong Kong galloper Military Attack will not contest the 2013 Cox Plate (2040m) with the horses’ owner making the decision to keep him in Hong Kong.

Tommy Berry rode Military Attack to Group 1 glory in Hong Kong but will not get the opportunity to ride him in the Cox Plate. Photo by: Steve Hart

Trainer John Moore indicated that he would love to bring Military Attack to Australia for the Cox Plate, after the son of Oratorio’s brilliant win in the 2013 Singapore Airlines International Cup (2000m), but Racing Victoria’s international scout Leigh Jordon said the leading trainer has been overruled by owner Steven Lo Kit Sing.

“Unfortunately while I was away John Moore informed me that Military Attack won’t come down for the Cox Plate,” Jordon told Racing Ahead.

“The owner has decided that he wants to stay in Hong Kong.

“It is extremely disappointing; I think that he was the perfect horse for the Cox Plate and so does John.

“John wanted to come but at the end of the day it is the owners’ decision to remain in Hong Kong.”

Military Attack has stamped himself as one of the world’s most exciting horses with a string of brilliant wins this year.

The five-year-old recorded his first win at Group 1 level with an easy victory in the Hong Kong Cup (2000m) and scored a gutsy win carrying 60.5kg in the Group 3 Premier Plate (1800m) at his next start.

The classy gelding return to the races a month later in the Group 1 Audemars Pigue QEII Cup (2000m), with Australian jockey Tommy Berry on board, and picked up another impressive win before his career best performer in the Singapore International Cup at his last start in May.

Moore has previously had a runner in the Cox Plate with Super Kid finishing seventh behind champion mare Makybe Diva in the 2005 edition of the race.