A touch of excitement at Werribee with all of the internationals competing during the Spring Racing Carnival now here in Melbourne. As race day beckons for one of the initial arrivals, a couple tuning up for the weekend and many of the latest additions acquainted themselves with the track.
LUCKY NINE: Just a light canter over about 1400-metres this morning. The Hong Kong visitor has looked like a sleek machine ever since he arrived nearly a month ago and continues to hold that condition. (Friday: Sportingbet Manikato Stakes, 1200m)
DANDINO: An easy canter over a mile this morning as a first proper outing since the Caulfield Cup second placing. Track rider Paul Francis says that Dandino has “bounced back into it and couldn’t be happier”. (Next run: Emirates Melbourne Cup, 3200m, 5 November)
SIMENON: This horse just keeps looking like a big run beckons in the Melbourne Cup. An easy canter over 1400-metres kicked off his work, another over 1600-metres quickening over the last 400-metres and repeated that again. Having showed more “zip” than expected in the Herbert Power and his continuing work suggests that building on that is a part of the strategy. Track rider Emmet Mullins says that the horse is coming along very well after the Caulfield run. (Next run: Emirates Melbourne Cup, 3200m, 5 November)
SIDE GLANCE: Just light work from this horse and went about it very quietly. His work has been very steady and consistent and a better guide of his progress with come with Craig Williams riding work tomorrow. Side Glance drew barrier 1 in Saturday’s race. (Saturday: Sportingbet Cox Plate, 2040m)
MULL OF KILLOUGH: A relatively easy morning for Mull Of Killough cantering over a mile. Track rider Abi Harrison is pleased with his progress and hoped to get barrier 4 or 5 for the Cox Plate; fortunately the ended up with barrier 4. Steven Arnold will ride work tomorrow morning. (Saturday: Sportingbet Cox Plate, 2040m)
RUSCELLO: Cantered over 1400-metres and looked strong in his work today. The horse looks to have come on well since last Wednesday’s second placing. Also catered off from 1200-mark and stepped it up from the 800. Is a horse that is showing steady improvement adding to the great effort at Caulfield. (Possible next run: Group 2 Lexus Stakes, 2500m, 2 November)
TREVIERES: Just a walk around the parade ring today as Trevieres recovers from a muscle injury to the hind quarters, as reported by @RVStewards Twitter, which started to show up on Saturday. The news is that the soreness is improving.
FORGOTTEN VOICE: Track rider Ryan O’Rielly said that Forgotten Voice was “very well” after this morning’s hit out. Trotted about a mile then cantered over another mile and on two occasions clicked up over the last 400-metres. A real sharpen up before the Geelong Cup. (Tomorrow: Race 7 Group 2 Geelong Cup, 2400m)
BROWN PANTHER: One of the horses that looked very well when he stepped off the plane on Saturday and continues to look as well now. A slow canter over 1400-metres. Looked good. (First run: Emirate Melbourne Cup, 3200m, 5 November)
RED CADEAUX: Looking just like he is familiar with the surrounds at Werribee, this remarkable globetrotter cantered off from the mile today. It was strong enough work for the first minor occasion pushed. (First run: Emirate Melbourne Cup, 3200m, 5 November)
STIPULATE: Reporting that the horse has settled well over the last few days. Cantered over 1200-metres this morning. The horse looks comfortable in it’s surrounds. (First run: Group 1 Emirates Stakes, 1600m, 9 November)
MOUNT ATHOS: A walk over 1200-metres and cantered over 1200-metres. Charlie Henson, Luca Cumani’s International Assistant, says that he thinks the horse travelled better this time than last year. Sarah Cumani is expected to arrive in Melbourne tomorrow. (First run: Emirate Melbourne Cup, 3200m, 5 November)
DUNADEN: He looks like such a professional, this horse. Just saunters aroung the parade ring and then performs when asked on the track. Cantered over 1200-metres this morning although he did buck a tad before setting off. Cantered to the line nicely and work rider Mathieu Brasme says the horse is very well in himself.
HAVANA GOLD: A canter over 1200-metres from this stablemate of Dunaden. Walked along with Dunaden but they cantered separately. The horse is well by reports. (First run: Group 1 Emirates Stakes, 1600m, 9 November)
VEREMA: Although none of the horses really travelled poorly, Verema was said to have coped very well. Stepped out very nicely with a canter over 1000-metres today. (First run: Emirates Melbourne Cup, 3200m, 5 November)
TRES BLUE: Just a light canter this morning from the mile marker. Not too much asked from this three-year-old. (First run: Emirates Melbourne Cup, 3200m, 5 November)
CARAVAN ROLLS ON: A light canter around the circuit on two occasions. The horse looks comfortable in the new surrounds. (First run: Lavazza Long Black 2800m or Emirates Melbourne Cup 3200m, 5 November)
VOLEUSE DE COUERS: Walked a lap of the course and did a very light trot as well. Trainer Mike Moroney seems satisfied with the horse in the early stages. He said that the mare has also settled well and only lost one kilo on the trip over. He described her as an “amazing eater”. (First run: Emirates Melbourne Cup, 3200m, 5 November)
SHIKARPOUR: This Team Williams owned import has reportedly traveled. Just a quiet morning and didn’t make an appearance on the track. (First run: Group 2 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, 2600m, 9 November)
ROYAL EMPIRE: Racing Victoria's Leigh Jordon says that this horse travelled well and is settling in today. Click here to view the profiles for all of the international contenders and here for the fields for Sportingbet Cox Plate Day.