The first of the international Caulfield and Melbourne Cup challengers arrived in Melbourne on Tuesday.
Japanese stayer Admire Deus took up residence at the Werribee quarantine centre on Tuesday afternoon after a 20-hour trip from his homeland via Hong Kong.
Admire Deus will run for local interests after syndicator Australian Bloodstock purchased the horse after his fourth in the Group I Tenno Sho (Spring) over 3200m in April.
Premier Victorian trainer Darren Weir took over the training of Admire Deus some weeks ago, sending representative Matt Scown to Japan to oversee his preparation at the famous Northern Farm property of prominent Japanese owner and breeder Katsumi Yoshida.
Scown travelled back to Australia with Admire Deus and said the seven-year-old comfortably handled the 20-hour trip.
"He drank a fair bit of water and ate a lot as well," Scown said.
"He was so relaxed that we were able to unclip the head collar so he could put his head down on the place.
"We're really happy with the way he has travelled."
Admire Deus took in his new surroundings with a walk and a pick of grass in the quarantine centre.
The son of Admire Don looked bright in the coat and carried little excess but Scown said Weir would assess the horse in the coming days before consulting the Australian Bloodstock founders Luke Murrell and Jamie Lovett on a lead-up race to the Melbourne Cup.
"We had to have him ready to race by the time he travelled," Scown said.
"Darren will come and watch him work and have a chat to Luke and Jamie and decide what to do with him."
Sportsbet has Admire Deus as a $17 second favourite in Melbourne Cup betting behind last year's winner Almandin.
