Australian Bloodstock to test Melbourne Cup hopefuls in Brisbane

Vauban’s debut campaign in Australian Bloodstock’s colours has been labelled a success with spring targets ahead, but the ownership group isn’t slowing down, with plans to further strengthen their Melbourne Cup roster via the Queensland winter carnival.

Jamie Lovett, director of Australian Bloodstock, confirmed on Monday that a group of imported stayers—led by stakes-performed pair Royal Supremacy and Relentless Voyager—will be unveiled in Brisbane, marking their first appearances in Australian racing.

“We’ll have a strong team up there and that will go a long way in dictating where we will be in the Melbourne spring,” Lovett said on Monday.

“We’ll take quite a few to Brisbane to get them up and going. We’ve got some lovely horses heading up that way, of the likes of Royal Supremacy and then Relentless Voyager towards the end of the carnival.

“Royal Supremacy is down to trial this week and then a little bit later we’ll see Relentless Voyager. I was talking to Ciaron (Maher) about him on Saturday, so we’re really looking forward to kicking him off back end of Brisbane.

“History shows that 12 months, the longer they are here, the better they are. We’ve given them plenty of time to settle in.

“Sayedaty Sadaty is another one. He’s down to trial this week as well and looking forward to seeing what he can do.”

Sayedaty Sadaty has raced twice in Australia so far, debuting with an unplaced run in the Caulfield Cup last spring before a quiet return in March at Flemington over 1600m.

Both Royal Supremacy and Relentless Voyager boast Italian Derby placings and additional stakes form from the UK prior to their purchase midway through last year. While Relentless Voyager was unable to pass Racing Victoria’s vet protocols in time for the 2023 spring carnival, Lovett said he’s now thriving as he nears his Australian debut.

Meanwhile, Vauban is expected to head for a brief spell before building up to his third tilt at the Melbourne Cup.

The Irish import was last seen finishing midfield in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2000m, a distance shorter than ideal for the seasoned stayer.

“He was chasing a long way out on Saturday, but he was good through the line with longer races in mind,” Lovett said.

“He won a race (Sky High Stakes), ran third in the Tancred and obviously nothing on Saturday. But it’s been a good autumn for him and the target has always been the Melbourne spring, so we’re right on track.”