Japanese mare Hana’s Goal arrived at the Werribee facility on Saturday, while Irish-trained gelding Gordon Lord Byron will hit Australian soil on 8 March.
Upon completing their quarantine period, the elite thoroughbreds will head to Sydney to contest The Championships at Royal Randwick on 12-19 April.
RV’s Executive General Manager – Racing, Greg Carpenter, said RV was pleased to assist Racing NSW to ensure the horses could compete.
“New South Wales doesn’t have a quarantine facility which allows horses to remain training once they have arrived in Australia so we’re pleased that we can assist by allowing Hana’s Goal and Gordon Lord Byron to complete their quarantine here in Victoria,” Carpenter said.
“It’s great that we can help ensure these top-class internationals can run and provide a further boost for The Championships.
“It makes sense for the state industry bodies to work together to grow Australian racing in international markets. For the future development of Victorian racing it is vital other states embrace international racing and work to emulate the success we have achieved here in internationalising our major races over the past 20 years.”
Gordon Lord Byron has amassed over $1 million in prizemoney and has won Group 1 races in England and France. The gelding will target the $2.5 million Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) on 12 April, with the Doncaster Mile on the same day also an option.
A multiple Group 3 winner in Japan, Hana’s Goal is eyeing the $3 million Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m).
Located just 32kms from Melbourne’s CBD, the Werribee International Horse Centre is Australia’s only privately-owned quarantine centre that allows thoroughbreds to remain training upon entering the country.
It has stabling for up to 24 horses in five separate stable complexes while also giving horses access to training facilities at Werribee Racecourse.
Opened in 2010, the state-of-the-art facility has been the training ground for two Emirates Melbourne Cup winners, a Caulfield Cup winner and multiple feature race winners during the Spring Racing Carnival since its inception.
Government protocols require horses to remain in quarantine for a minimum of two weeks upon arrival.