Full house expected at Werribee for spring

Racing Victoria’s international scout Leigh Jordon is expecting the house full sign to be posted at the Werribee quarantine centre for the spring carnival.

Jordon says the two quarantine stables can house 24 horses, eight in one barn and 16 in the other.

The first lot of international horses, which will be the larger of two shipments, go into quarantine on Thursday in the UK and are due into Melbourne on October 1.

The second load is due two weeks later.

Already locked away for a trip for the Melbourne Cup is $15 favourite Wicklow Brave following his win in the Irish St Leger at The Curragh on Sunday.

Jordon says Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby could send out as many as six horses in the first shipment.

He said Scottish was being aimed at the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups and Tryster the Cox Plate and hopefully the Emirates (Mackinnon) Stakes.

Besides Scottish, Godolphin has Francis Of Assissi, Oceanographer, Second Wave and Qewy entered in the Melbourne Cup in Appleby’s care.

“Besides Scottish they’ve got four other stayers that they want to target at races like the Geelong Cup, Moonee Valley Cup and Bendigo Cup,” Jordon said.

“They’ve looked at it and thought there’s all this prize money on offer for handy stayers.

“They could sneak into the Melbourne Cup with a penalty, but might not, but it’s still the prize money that is attractive.”

Jordon says fellow Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor is likely to return while Andreas Wohler, who won the 2014 Melbourne Cup with Protectionist, is coming to run Articus in the Caulfield Cup and Red Cardinal in the Melbourne Cup.

He said the second shipment would contain Ebor winner Heartbreak City and Japanese raider Curren Mirotic.

“Between six and nine would be a nice number for the Melbourne Cup,” Jordon said.

“For the Caulfield Cup there could be between two and four, depending on what Aidan (O’Brien) brings and up to three in the Cox Plate, again depending on what Aidan does.

“We’re still waiting for Vadamos to commit for the Cox Plate.

“Hopefully we’ll find out soon.”