There's plenty of early Kiwi interest in the upcoming Melbourne spring carnival.
Group One entries for the Caulfield Guineas, 1000 Guineas, Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate closed this week with Kiwi trainers showing their hands with a strong contingent of nominations.
Cambridge trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young entered impressive Te Teko trial winner Johnhro and trials-placed Atmosphere in the A$1 million Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 11, while Murray Baker nominated last-start New Plymouth winner Turn Me Loose, Kevin Myers paid up for Lautaro and Andrew Campbell lodged entries for Longchamp, Francome and Werther.
Myers has entered this week’s impressive Riccarton winner Caramac for the A$500,000 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield, while John Wheeler nominated stakes-winning filly Steel Rose.
Busuttin and Young have the Caulfield Cup on the radar for three-time Group One winner Sangster and Graeme and Debbie Rogerson have entered Costume and Polyantha for the A$3 million 2400m feature on October 18.
Roger James' star stayer Silent Achiever heads the Kiwi entries, alongside Scapolo for Myers, New Zealand Derby winner Puccini for Peter McKay, Rising Romance for Donna Logan, Fast Dragon for Bruce Wallace and Weissmuller for Campbell.
Among the former New Zealand stayers in the entries are Auckland Cup winner Who Shot Thebarman, More Than Sacred, Lucia Valentina and Kirramosa.
Silent Achiever, Scapolo, Puccini, Rising Romance, Costume, Johnhro, Lautaro, Longchamp, Francome and Werther all have entries for the A$3 million Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 25.
They are joined by the Rogerson-trained Soriano, the John Bary-trained Recite, and the Campbell-trained Cauthen.
