With the BMW Caulfield Cup over, the “no vacancy” sign has just about been put up at Werribee as 11 more European horses entered the TAB International Horse Centre on Saturday and are all settling in well. Some familiar names, new additions to the Spring Racing Carnival big race plight and some horses now calling Australia home are amongst the latest list of contenders.
High-profile raiders Dunaden, Voleuse De Couers and Verema all quietly slipped into Melbourne together with talented stayer Brown Panther, owned by English football great Michael Owen.
Gai Waterhouse’s newly acquired Group 1-winning French colt Tres Blue and 2011 Emirates Melbourne Cup runner-up Red Cadeaux were among the international contingent.
Italian-born but UK-based Luca Cumani is having another crack at the Emirates Melbourne Cup talented stayer Mount Athos, a year after the seven-year-old finished a gallant fifth behind Green Moon in the 2012 Cup.
As for Brown Panther he will not doubt generate a lot in interest amongst racing fans and followers of the world game alike with the England and Liverpool Football Club, amongst others, association with Michael Owen.
Traveling groom Christopher Ely says that the gelding traveled very well on the 27-hour journey.
“He has eaten and drank just fine on the flight”, Ely said.
“We are very happy with him. We were before he left England and still are here.”
Brown Panther won the Group 2 Goodwood Cup (3200m) two runs back and finished fifth at his latest effort over 1974-metres in September after missing a run in the Irish St Leger.
“That race was never suitable for him”, Ely commented.
“Those horses were all better suited to the distance than him and he performed really well. He’s shown us everything he’s needed to.”
These latest residents of the Newminster Stable at Werribee will spend the next 14 days in quarantine which will end on AAMI Victoria Derby Day on 2 November.
One more addition will arrive on Monday with Godolphin's sole representative Royal Empire to jet in via a private charter flight on Monday.
You can read more on the 11 horses who have arrived at Werribee here and click here to view the profiles for the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival international contenders.