News from Racing Victoria last night confirmed Melbourne Cup second and third favourites – Bande and Admire Rakti – went into quarantine at Tokyo racecourse on Wednesday.
They will complete a mandatory 14-day period there before flying to Australia for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.
Melbourne Cup punters well remember the Japanese quinella in the 2006 Cup when Delta Blues and Pop Rock hit the line as one.
Admire Rakti and Bande are both high-class stayers, with Bande the untapped talent, still rising through the staying grades in Japan.
Admire Rakti has performed with distinction at the highest level, running an eye-catching and fast-finishing fourth over 2400 metres in last year’s Japan Cup.
The two raiders will arrive in Melbourne on September 20 and they will then need to complete another two weeks' quarantine at the Werribee International Horse Centre.