With eight days left of the quarantine period for the first batch of international horses, the work rate is starting to increase leading towards first raceday outings. With a clearly more sedate fashion in which they go about their work compared to our busier city tracks, in addition to the “faster” work as listed below, there is often more walking or slower trotting around the track after leaving the Vintage Crop barn and before heading back.

LUCKY NINE: With three weeks until it’s first run Lucky Nine, had a short session this morning working three-quarter pace from about the 1000-metre mark and eased to the line. (First run: Sportingbet Manikato Stakes, 1200m, 25 October)

DANDINO: Medium pace work over about 2000-metres quickening over the last section down the straight. This horse looks to be coming along nicely. (First run: BMW Caulfield Cup, 2400m, 19 October)

SIMENON: Looked to step up the work today canter about 4000-metres. Consistent work over the trip with short breaks between each lap. (First run: BMW Caulfield Cup, 2400m, 19 October)

SIDE GLANCE: A slow canter from the Andrew Balding trained seven-year-old gelding with a slow canter of over 1200-metres picking up to three-quarter pace from the 600-metres. Looks to have settled well. (First run: Sportingbet Cox Plate, 2040m, 26 October)

MULL OF KILLOUGH: Cantered for about 1600-metres to about three-quarter pace eased down. (First run: Sportingbet Cox Plate, 2040m, 26 October)

RUSCELLO: Clicked up a gear today. Cantered from about 1600-metres picking up from the 800 and an easy canter over a lap of the course. (First run: Emirates Melbourne Cup, 3200m, 5 November)

TREVIERES: Slow canter for about a lap then medium pace from the 1200-mark stretching out to the line. (First run: Toorak Handicap, 1600m, 12 October)

FORGOTTEN VOICE: A slow canter from the mile mark picking it up from the 1000-metre pole and medium pace from the 400. Things will start getting more serious from this horse from Monday. Still wanted to pull a bit in the straight so may be very keen for the new week to come around. (First run: BMW Caulfield Cup, 2400m, 19 October)

OPINION: Cantered from about the mile marker with three-quarter pace to the line. (First run: BMW Caulfield Cup, 2400m, 19 October)

Click here to view the profiles for all of the international contenders.