Godolphin team in 'rude health'
Trainer Charlie Appleby was delighted with his five-strong contingent at the Werribee quarantine centre and predicted they would be ready to do themselves justice in a range of targets leading up to the G1 Melbourne Cup at Flemington on Nov 1.
Appleby, on his first visit to Australia, liked what he saw on Friday when running his eye over G1 Caulfield Cup hope Scottish, plus stayers Qewy, Oceanographer, Second Wave and Francis Of Assisi.
"There are no negatives," the Godolphin trainer said after a quick inspection tour. "They have all travelled well, settled in nicely, and, most importantly, they are moving well. Our team have done a great job with them.
"The track at Werribee is fantastic. I was very happy with the set-up, which I saw for the first time. I am pleased to say that our horses look in rude health," he added.
Appleby has always been of the opinion that Scottish has the right profile to make an impact in the Caulfield Cup, but he added that both Oceanographer and Qewy really took his eye.
"Scottish has done very well, and we hope for the best at Caulfield on Saturday. The other four all have an entry in the Geelong Cup on Wednesday. We will run two at Geelong -- which two will be decided in the next 24 hours after I speak to John Ferguson," he added.
