Article by Tim Yeatman for /www.racing.com

He won't be so feted this time around but hopes remain that English King can still make his mark in Australia when he returns from racing's wilderness in the new season.

Trainer Mike Moroney said the horse who ran as one of the favourites when he placed fifth in the 2020 English Derby has overcome a tendon injury that threatened to end his career on a low note after eight winless races in Australia.

"He's been in rehab for quite a while, now he's ready to return to work," Moroney said. "We're not putting up too many expectations. Just hoping he stays sound and can get back to some of that old form."

It is like starting all over again with the rising seven-year-old as his domestic rating has fallen dramatically from 94 upon his arrival in 2020 to 79 after his most recent run when unplaced in the 2022 Andrew Ramsden Stakes at Flemington.

Moroney said the stable was encouraged that English King might have been returning to his old form when he ran second in a handicap at Flemington over 2600 metres before he ran in the Ramsden.

"He was just coming right when it happened," Moroney said of the tendon injury. "He's been gelded and he's a nice horse, so it would be great to see if he can come through and find some form."

English King carried a big purchase price of $1.87 million out of an auction in the UK, but for most of his connections, fellow import Emissary has come to the rescue.

Bought at the same time as English King for $708,000, last year's Melbourne Cup runner-up has earned back $1.62m with the promise of more to come.

Moroney reported that another high-profile import, Alenquer, is getting fit while trying another discipline.

"He's doing a course of dressage," Moroney said. "He's been gelded and this is the first part of bringing him back.

"His manners at times were a problem and he was getting good at using reverse gear, so we're hoping this is a new start for him."

Moroney welcomed imports Gregolimo and Mathletic to his stable a few weeks back and he said he is hopeful they can make an immediate impact.

"Gregolimo's a staying type that been in the stable for three or four weeks and he's a lovely horse, who's bright and switched on," he said.

"Mathletic is a nice miler who is lightly raced and has plenty of upside."