West Wind Blows is set to test the water in Australia by running in Saturday’s Group One TAB Turnbull Stakes at Flemington.
Simon and Ed Crisford’s gelding has travelled with a tilt at Caulfield Cup glory on October 21 as the ultimate aim.
First up for the talented four-year-old will be this weekend’s 10-furlong feature, a race won by Winx in 2017 and 2018 and subsequent Melbourne Cup stars such as Makybe Diva and Verry Elleegant.
West Wind Blows, twice a Group Three scorer at ParisLongchamp, was last seen going down by just a short-head to Passenger in the Winter Hill Stakes at Windsor.
Prior to that, he was third behind Paddington in the Coral-Eclipse and second to Pyledriver in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Assistant trainer Paul Holley has been impressed by his schooling work since arriving and believes any cut underfoot will help.
“He’s run on all types of ground but he does seem to like getting his toe in a little bit,” Holley told Racing.com.
“He was pretty fit coming out here and he’s done a couple of bits since arriving, so I think he’ll run a good race and put up a good show.”
Jamie Spencer will partner the four-year-old and Holley added: “He rides him most times at home, including his last three runs, and comes and rides him work as well, so he knows the horse.”
Among those in opposition will be multiple Hong Kong Group One scorer Romantic Warrior and former Melrose Handicap winner Soulcombe, now with Chris Waller.
That pair are leading ante-post fancies for the Cox Plate and the Melbourne Cup respectively.
Holley commented: “Romantic Warrior is a very good horse but he’s travelled down from Hong Kong, so it’s a little bit different for him here as well.”
