Champion Irish trainer Willie Mullins jetted into Melbourne overnight and headed straight to the TAB International Horse Centre at Werribee this morning to check on the progress of his Spring Carnival hope Simenon before the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield tomorrow, reports Racing Victoria.

The quarantine restrictions will be lifted tomorrow on the eight international horses who arrived a fortnight ago and Simenon will be the first of them to make an Australian debut along with French raider Trevieres.

“I’m very happy with the horse and how he has gone through quarantine”, said the eight time Irish Champion National Hunt trainer who is also cautious about the Herbert Power trip for Simenon.

Second placed in the Group 1 Ascot Gold Cup (4000m) last June and then a last start second in the Group 2 Londsdale Cup (3300m), Simenon will have his first start in a race as short as 2400-metres for more than three years when previously trained by Andrew Balding.

“I have never run him over this trip and our plan is to have him ready as a two-mile horse, even further.”

“We didn’t have to run him over in this race but I think it will be a good introduction for him.”

Simenon cantered about three miles this morning, which would seem a lot of work to many locals in Australian training terms on the day before a race start.

“I’m wondering if we’re doing enough!”, Mullins quipped.

“We would do a lot of this at home and that is his normal routine. We would never be training on grass at home so it will be interesting to see how that makes a difference”, Mullins commented as training is usually done on synthetic surfaces.

With Kerrin McEvoy aboard tomorrow, the seven-year-old gelding will start from barrier four.

“We’ve got a good draw but I don’t know how he’ll handle a fast early pace”, Mullins said.

“I’m just waiting to see that will happen just the same as everyone else but I’m not going into the race with any sort of expectations and I’m expecting that after whatever he does tomorrow he would run a much better race from then on.”

“I’m looking forward to tomorrow and just hoping that he runs a good race.”

French international Trevieres had a light outing this morning before stepping out in the Group 1 David Jones Toorak Handicap (1600m) tomorrow.

Continuing the positive reports about the preparation at Werribee, owner Colleen Bamford said that considering the six-year-old gelding hasn’t traveled before it all seems well so far 

“We’re very happy with him. It is a big step up in grade but we are expecting him to go well,” Bamford said.

Trevieres has been a big firmer with TAB for the mile feature. Opening at $21 when markets were released on Wednesday, Trevieres is currently rated a $14 chance.

Click here to view the past form record for Trevieres and for Simenon here.