The Bendigo meeting featuring the Golden Mile will have the added attraction of expensive European Import English King making his Australian debut.
Expensive European import English King is set to make his Australian debut in the Listed Golden Mile (1600m) at Bendigo on Saturday.
English King was one of three European purchases at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale in England last October to enter the stables of Mike Moroney.
The trio arrived in Australia in December and went straight into work after completing quarantine.
Emissary was gelded after one jump-out and sent for a spell while Keats was given a third jump-out on Friday.
Moroney said a decision was pending on whether to geld him.
On the otherhand, English King will remain an entire with the hope of finding a stallion home after his racing days are complete.
“The disappointing part is that they have enough breeding to say they could stay colts, but we’re kidding ourselves to say they’ll all make stallions,” Moroney said.
“English King, he’s different. He’s by Camelot and I think if he can win Group 1 races, he’ll find a home here in Australia.”
Moroney said the Golden Mile at Bendigo was a nice starting point following three jump-outs which the trainer described as “nice”.
Following Saturday’s outing, Moroney said a decision would be made whether to press on to Sydney for the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on April 17 or to head for a spell.
“It will be too short for him, but it’s a good start off for him on a nice big track and we’ll just see what we make of that,” Moroney said.
“First thoughts are that if he does go well enough, we will take him up to Sydney for the Queen Elizabeth and then give him a break, or he go straight to the paddock after one run.”
Written by Craig Brennan
