Make no mistake – the British are coming. And the French. And the Germans. These came together to varying degrees at Rosehill when a pair of JHB purchase imports took out a pair of Group 3 events in great style.
First to the crease was British import Excess Knowledge who with a win in the Doncaster Prelude took his Australian haul to three of his last four starts. Showing great tenacity to hold off Malice, the fact that Excess Knowledge is doing his winning over distances well short of what will prove his optimum augers exceptionally well for his bright future. He is by the incredible German stallion Monsun, sire of an oustanding 17% stakes winners to runners, and his representatives in Australia led by Melbourne Cup winners Fiorente and Protectionist. It was with a tilt at the greatest race in Australia in mind that Excess Knowledge was purchased on behalf of clients of the Gai Waterhouse stable, and with this confidence building and light Autumn campaign, Gai looks to have given him the perfect grounding going into the Spring. He’s shown the kind of speed that marks a modern-day Melbourne Cup winner, and with his likely stamina for the distance he looks an ideal candidate for Flemington glory.
Representing the French imports was Pornichet, who took out his second Group race in Australia with a most impressive score in the Neville Sellwood Stakes. Pornichet has shown that it is not just with stayers from Europe which one can win good race in Australia, but also with horses who have excelled at shorter trips. Pornichet was sourced from the Nicholas Clement stable in France after a fine run over 1600m to be third in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains, otherwise known as the French 2000 Guineas. He was put through the inaugural Goffs London Thoroughbred Sale and, after failing to meet his reserve, was secured privately through JHB and again for clients of the Gai Waterhouse stable. Pornichet is representative that there is a good angle and good reward in bringing over horses from Europe who have shown their talent at lesser distances, and he is sure to be one of many to exploit this approach.