Eight international horses have been invited to take up the challenge in this year's Cox Plate, a race in which local champion Winx is scheduled to chase a record-equalling third successive win.

Japanese horse Neorealism and reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year Werther are among the Moonee Valley Racing Club's international invitees for the $3 million weight-for-age race on October 28.

Irish horse Highland Reel, third to Winx in the Cox Plate in 2015, and last year's Caulfield Cup runner-up Scottish are also on the MVRC's wish list.

"The club has once again sought to invite the world's premier middle distance weight-for-age horses and working in conjunction with Racing Victoria's international agent Leigh Jordon we are confident we have identified horses that may be attracted by our lucrative prize money and incentives," MVRC chief executive Michael Browell said.

"The recent global recognition of the W S Cox Plate undoubtedly helped us market our race to international connections, but there is no denying the two-sided effect Winx can have on the race."

Costs associated with transporting horses, trainers, jockeys and connections to Melbourne will be covered should the connections of invited horses choose to run in the Cox Plate.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained Adelaide became the first overseas-trained winner of the Cox Plate (2040m) in 2014.

Winx, rated the best turf horse in the world, has dominated the race the past two years and is striving to join Kingston Town by winning for a third time.

Neorealism, the recent QEII Cup winner in Hong Kong, is one of two invitees from Japan along with Japanese Derby winner Makahiki.

Along with the Charlie Appleby-trained Scottish, other Great Britain-trained horses invited are Decorated Knight and Ribchester, while last-start French Group One winner Mekhtaal has also earned an invitation.

"We will continue to monitor the major racing carnivals around the globe and where we see fit may issue further invitations to those we believe warrant it," Jordon said.

INITIAL COX PLATE INVITEES:

Highland Reel (Ireland)

Makahiki (Japan)

Ribchester (GB)

Werther (Hong Kong)

Neorealism (Japan)

Mekhtaal (France)

Decorated Knight (GB)

Scottish (GB)