The Aidan O'Brien-trained U S Navy Flag had his first look of Canterbury on Monday morning as he prepares to become the first international starter in The Everest.
U S Navy Flag completed his long-haul flight from the UK to Sydney on Sunday and less than 24 hours later was saddled up at Canterbury's quarantine centre for a light workout on the polytrack.
The son of War Front is only a three-year-old by northern hemisphere standards but already has three Group I wins to his name and experience in overseas travel, having ventured to America for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile last November.
"U S Navy Flag has done a lot of travelling before he started his journey here and he travelled great,'' O'Brien's foreman Andrew Murphy told Racing NSW.
"He's a very laid back, docile horse with a great attitude and that's why he travels so well.
"He's very bright and alert and that's what you love to see.''
U S Navy Flag is owned by international giant and Everest slotholder Coolmore.
In the inaugural edition of The Everest last year, Coolmore toyed with the idea of bringing out the O'Brien-trained Caravaggio from the UKbut decided to run local filly Tulip, which finished a creditable fifth.
Coolmore has settled on an internationally-trained prospect to run in its slot this year and according to the O'Brien stable, U S Navy Flag will be a worthy contender when he races for a slice of $13 million on October 13 at Randwick.
"It's a long way to come so you're not going to bring a horse you don't think is going to run well," Murphy said.
"Each day we will do a little bit more with him.
"We'll give Aidan a daily report, he decides all these things, even though he is in Ireland."
Sportbet has U S Navy Flag pegged a $17 chance for The Everest.
