ALENQUER MAKES HIS AUSTRALIAN DEBUT

A big day for the stable with feature race runners at Moonee Valley and at Rosehill.

Toronto Terrier, Alenquer and Japanese Emperor race at Moonee Valley while bankers Choice is in Sydney for the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes.

Alenquer (pictured) makes his Australian debut in the $5 million All-Star Mile with Jordan Childs to ride.

“I’ve been waiting for this day for a while, it’s a credit to the horse and the staff to get him here so it’s exciting for us all,” Mike said.

“I sent him to Moonee Valley on Tuesday for a feel of the course and he worked with Toronto Terrier and looked to handle the track well - race day pressure is a different thing but he has at least had a spin around the tricky circuit.

“I know it’s not the right track or distance for him but I’m sure he’ll run well. He’s a Group 1 winner, he's got the class and with an ounce of luck in running it will not surprise me at all to see him win as he is a class horse.”

Japanese Emperor finished an excellent third in the Australian Guineas last time out and he runs in race nine, the Alister Clark Stakes over 2040 metres with Blake Shinn aboard.

“He’s drawn nicely and I’m happy with him, from the draw it gives him a great chance to get the trip,” Mike said.

“We went to Moonee Valley on Tuesday to have a look at the course and his work was excellent.

“My only query is his first try at the trip, Blake is confident and with the right run in the race I can’t see why he is not a great winning chance.”

Blake Shinn also rides last start winner Toronto Terrier in the $200,00 VOBIS Gold Reef over 1600 metres.

“He’s in great order and I can’t fault him,” Mike said. “His work with Alenquer on Tuesday was excellent and I think the step up in trip will suit him.

“He’s come on a lot for his last start win and he’s a better horse now as a gelding. It’s a handy enough race with five last start winners engaged and our horse is up from maiden class to this, which in reality is a restricted race, but I’m sure he’s up to it and will run well.”

At Rosehill the Ranvet Stakes is race six and Michael Dee is aboard Bankers Choice who has just seven rivals in the $1 million weight-for-age contest.

“He’s travelled and arrived in good order which is always a plus - he’s eaten everything and has usually raced well whenever he has travelled,” Mike said.

“He’s held his condition, he’s fitter and at his right trip. It’s a test against quality horses, I can’t fault our horse and with luck in running I’m confident he will be in the finish.”