The first European gallopers for the spring carnival have arrived in Melbourne to start their quarantine period at Werribee.
Four of the 18 horses arrived on Friday night and the rest touched down on Saturday afternoon.
Back for a second shot at Melbourne Cup success is last year’s placegetter Prince Of Aran, who arrived on Friday night along with three horses of Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor.
Of the 18 horses, 11 are owned by Australian interests, with six set to remain in Australia and transfer to local stables once their two-week quarantine period is complete.
Ebor Handicap winner Mustajeer, an Australian Bloodstock purchase, is bound for the stable of Kris Lees and is being set towards the 2019 Melbourne Cup at Flemington on November 5.
Torcedor, also owned by the Australian Bloodstock syndicate, is joining Paul Preusker’s stable in Horsham while Mirage Dancer is heading to Cranbourne to be prepared by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young.
Former Aidan O’Brien gallopers Constantinople and Cape Of Good Hope join Lindsay Park, with Aktau joining the Flemington stable of Mike Moroney.
Sixteen horses complete their quarantine on October 12 allowing them to compete that afternoon at Caulfield in races including the Caulfield Stakes (2000m) and the Herbert Power Stakes (2400m).
Not permitted to compete that day are 2019 Caulfield Cup contenders Red Verdon, Raymond Tusk and Gold Mount along with Japanese trio Mer De Glace, Lys Gracieux and Kluger (arrivals on Tuesday), who will be free to compete from October 15.
FIRST EUROPEAN SPRING CARNIVAL ARRIVALS
Danceteria – David Menuisier
Mirage Dancer* – Trent Busuttin
Mustajeer* – Kris Lees
Royal Meeting – Saeed bin Suroor
Dream Castle – Saeed bin Suroor
Red Galileo – Saeed bin Suroor
Raymond Tusk – Richard Hannon
Gold Mount – Ian Williams
Red Verdon – Ed Dunlop
Raheen House – William Haggas
Constantinople* – Lindsay Park
Cape Of Good Hope* – Lindsay Park
Torcedor* – Paul Preusker
Haky – John Hammond
Prince of Arran – Charlie Fellowes
True Self – Willie Mullins
Chief Ironside – David Menuisier
Aktau* – Mike Moroney
* Horses joining Australian stables on a one-way ticket.
