The Melbourne Spring Carnival is in full swing and as it gets closer to the bigger races, so does the planes full of international runners, looking to take back home Australia's money, with the 2024 shipment looking very strong as they search for Group 1 glory.
Adam Page brings us his preview of the first lot of international raiders for the Melbourne Spring and their likely target races, odds courtesy of Ladbrokes.
Melbourne Spring Carnival International Raiders - Part 1
Birdman
Looked a very progressive up and comer in the UK but Ozzie Kheir and his crew forked out coin to buy him and he'll join Chris Waller, with eyes potentially towards a Cups campaign. He did run third to Illinois in the Queens Vase at Royal Ascot, which IMO does look strong form and with the Waller polish, I anticipate the speed will be trained into his legs and connections will be desperate for a big win after falling short in the Melbourne Cup last year. $51 for the Caulfield Cup and $21 for the Melbourne Cup.
Docklands
He was talked up as a potential Golden Eagle horse once but connections kept him in the UK to build his profile, his rating and he'll come to Australia for a crack at the Cox Plate. He ran second in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot but was safely held by a world class horse in City Of Troy in the Eclipse at Sandown. He does bring elite form. But you have to query him at 2040m given he does seem effective at the mile. He's a $21 chance in the Cox Plate.
Kitty Rose
Price/Kent trained mare that will come to Australia and likely be set for the Golden Eagle at Rosehill. She does boast a second to Content from last year, with that filly coming out recently and winning a Group at York during the Ebor Festival, so in that regard, the form reads very strong. But overall, her form does suggest she will need to improve big time to measure up. $51 for the Golden Eagle.
Onesmoothoperator
UK stayer trained by Brian Ellison who will arrive down under in winning form, with two on the bounce at Newcastle (UK) on the Synthetic, the latest being the Northumberland Plate, which is the UK's Synthetic version of the Melbourne Cup. Not a deep race but he was impressive and he will stay all day. Also keep in mind that in 2022 in the UK he was beaten four lengths by Without A Fight, the 2023 Cup winner. $101 for the Melbourne Cup.
Prognosis
World class horse from Japan and that formula is usually gold for races in Australia. He doesn't have the glowing CV but he does have elite form from Japan and Hong Kong, notably his epic battles with Romantic Warrior, who won the 2023 Cox Plate, the race Prognosis is being set for. He does tend to miss the start but if he's within range on the turn, he has a devastating finale and could easily blow them away. $5 for the Cox Plate.
Sayedaty Sadaty
Northern Hemisphere 3YO that is lightly raced usually = winning formula for the Melbourne Cup. He ran a beauty in the UK Derby behind City Of Troy before a third in the Gordon at Goodwood. Nominated for both Cups so it will be interesting to see where he goes but with Ciaron Maher, expect him to run well in whatever he contests. $26 for the Caulfield Cup, $34 for the Melbourne Cup.
Sea King
Not sure whether he is a travelling buddy for Docklands but he does seem an odd nomination for the Melbourne Cup. Overall record is pretty sound with five wins but when he has been tested in harder company, he hasn't quite measured up, the latest run being in the Ebor but that said, he didn't disgrace himself. Still, he needs to improve to measure up. $101 for the Melbourne Cup.
Warp Speed
The Japanese are elite when it comes to 2400m+ races and this guy does bring very strong form from Japan. Latest run was in the Tenno Sho and was only beaten four lengths by T O Royal, a superstar over there. Nominated for both Cups but I dare say will use the Caulfield Cup as a tune up en route to the first Tuesday in November, where he looks a serious winning chance. $34 for both Cups.
Wootoon Verni
Was recently purchased and will be trained by Chris Waller with eyes towards the Cox Plate. French form should always be respected when it comes to racing in Australia, and he did win a race recently that was won by 2022 Cup winner Gold Trip. Just not 100% sure he has the brilliance to measure up. $51 for the Cox Plate.
