Melbourne Cup-winning syndicators Australian Bloodstock believe the fitness of imports Collide and Almania will give them an edge in a spring carnival likely to feature less overseas opposition.
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The Hunter-based company bought Collide and Almania to join the stables of Newcastle trainer Kris Lees and target the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups this year. The combination already have potential contenders for the Melbourne features in Raheen House, Mustajeer and Mugatoo.
While Almania is yet to qualify for the Melbourne Cup, Collide, a five-year-old Frankel entire, already meets requirements thanks to a listed victory in France over a mile and a half in February.
Australian Bloodstock director Luke Murrell said Collide, a winner of six races in 15 starts, would follow the same path as their 2014 Melbourne Cup winner Protectionist. He won the group 2 Prix Kergorlay (3000m) in France before coming to Australia.
"He's a really nice horse and he's going to be qualified," Murrell said.
"He'll run in the Kergorlay [on August 23] then come here for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.
"He's more of a Melbourne Cup horse and just a really tough horse.
"Collide is proven at that trip and his last run was two and a bit miles. He's had quite a bit of racing this year, so he's rock-hard fit and we don't have to do much with him. We just need to keep him ticking over."
Almania, a four-year-old, has one win in nine starts. Australian Bloodstock hope to also get him in the Melbourne Cup but he needs to qualify. He races in the group 3 Geoffrey Freer Stakes (2671 metres) next week in England.
"He's basically got to run top three to cement his place in the race," Murrell said.
"If he doesn't, we'll have one more shot with him before the September shipment.
"He has a high rating but he hasn't met the qualification yet."
Murrell was glad to have secured fresh international talent given the impact of COVID-19. Instead of the traditional two shipments of imports to quarantine for the Melbourne Cup carnival, only one is planned. Foreign trainers are also not making the journey, meaning less quality international stayers will contest the features.
"I think this year, given nothing really else is coming from overseas with international trainers, they are both with a big advantage," Murrell said of his pair.
"They get here rock-hard fit. Collide already has 11,000 metres under his name, whereas the horses in Australia, none of them have raced yet this prep.
"I think that's half the battle. They always have an advantage coming here because of being up and racing this time of year."
Australian Bloodstock also have imports set for lesser targets arriving this weekend. Sacramento will go to Lees and Aquileo will join Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.