A pair of intriguing contests is in prospect this weekend. Chronologically speaking, the Sportingbet W.S. Cox Plate at Moonee Valley in Australia, which has the Irish-trained Adelaide (by Galileo) turning heads down under will be up for decision first, followed some eight hours later across the globe by the Racing Post Trophy at Newbury in England.

Starting with the latter event, it was trainer Andrew Balding who handled that useful son of Alhaarth, Phoenix Reach, a high-class colt whom he sent out to earn almost £2,000,000 in a career that included victories in the Dubai Sheema Classic, Canadian International and Hong Kong Vase. Hence it comes as no surprise that he schools that progressive two-year-old son of Phoenix Reach, Elm Park, who started his career as the property of Kingsclere Racing but now is part-owned by Qatar Racing, in whose silks he runs.

With the in-form Andrea Atzeni up, Elm Park is the firm 7 to 4 favourite for the mile event coming as he does off a hat-trick of victories. His most recent encounter with the winner's enclosure was in the Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes with the same pilot over the identical trip at Newmarket in September.

Unbeaten from two starts, Sir Mark Prescott's Celestial Path (by Footstepsinthesand) is the third-best favoured at 9 to 2. His runaway win in a listed race at Haydock early last month was eye-catching. Luke Morris was aboard on that occasion and continues his association. Incidentally, this is the schooler's first runner in this event.

In between the pair as far as the market is concerned is the better-fancied of Irish ace, Aidan O'Brien's pair, Jacobean, a 7 to 2 hope. The Ballydoyle handler has a stellar record in the race and is seeking his eighth triumph in the rich event through the medium of this once-raced maiden. Perhaps it is significant that he has preferred to pitch in this colt over his own stablemate, Royal Navy Ship (by War Front), winner of that maiden. With regular rider Joseph O'Brien on the sidelines (suspended) and his "go to" rider Ryan Moore doing duty for him 10,500 miles away, Aidan O'Brien relies on the dependable Colm O'Donoghue, who been declared here.

The choice of Newmarket in England as a venue in which to try and break his maiden – as opposed to an Irish racetrack – suggests that O'Brien's other runner, Aloft (by Galileo), is well regarded. In the event the superbly-bred colt landed the prize after a tussle with Storm The Stars (by Sea The Stars) despite running green. The choice of William Buick to guide his fortunes is interesting and this package is at a generous 14 to 1.

In contrast to O'Brien, Richard Hannon Jr. is looking for his first win in this season-end event and has fielded Tupi (by Tamayuz), also at 14 to 1. Beaten out of sight by Elm Park in August, Sean Levey's mount has it all to do. Those of John Gosden's runners that are owned by Sheikh Hamdan, such as his representative here, Snoano (by Nayef), are usually ridden by Paul Hanagan and that is the case on this occasion as well. As a well-seasoned two-year-old from a highly successful stable, the 36,000 guineas foal purchase deserves respect at 8 to 1.

Meanwhile it has been known for weeks that Aidan O'Brien's Adelaide would challenge for rich events in Australia, given that racing interests from that country had acquired a share in him from Coolmore earlier in the year. His third-placed effort in the Qatar Prix Niel at Longchamp in France in September was a tad disappointing but he has the ability to bounce back. After all, he did do so when recovering from a loss in the Belmont Derby Invitational in New York in July to annex the Secretariat Stakes in the Chicago suburbs in August.

The fact that no less a rider than Ryan Moore – arguably the world's numero uno "knight of the pigskin" – chose to abandon his challenge for the jockeys' championship in England so as to be able to take the mount on Adelaide in the weight-for-age Cox Plate (10 fur. 44 yards) is revealing. The problem is that the son of Galileo has been drawn 13 (of 14) and the Moonee Valley circuit is notorious for its tight track and very short straight – a mere 173 metres in length. As such, late-finishers who race wide are at a disadvantage and unless he shows dramatic improvement, one fears that Adelaide may at best place.

He is not the only international challenger in the A$3,000,000 feature – also from Europe come that game galloper Side Glance (by Passing Glance), a veteran of 38 starts, and Guest Of Honour (by Cape Cross), who has the benefit of a lung-opener recently – he was ninth at his Australian debut, albeit beaten just over 3 lengths. Side Glance displayed his best form three years ago but has recorded consistent figures since and Andrew Balding's ward has a fair shot with Jamie Spencer making the long trip. Marco Botti has chosen to use the services of local talent in the shape of Craig Williams, who knows the track well, on Guest Of Honour.

None of the 17 international runners in the last 15 years has been able to land this prize and so it is to the local hopes we turn in search of a more likely winner. Godolphin's progressive three-year-old, Sweynesse (by Lonhro) has had a busy time this campaign, packing in four starts in 8 weeks. His first three efforts were victorious but after appearing menacing last time out, he failed to go through with his effort and had to settle for third. Should he bounce back, he could land the prize under Chad Schofield for John O'Shea.

The Cleaner (by Savoir Vivre) has the mighty haul of 18 wins in his locker and despite his age – 7 – shows he retains zest for the game with 3 wins from his last three starts! Moreover he is something of a Moonee Valley specialist. With Steven Arnold doing duty for Mick Burles, the gelding seems to be the logical choice.