The NZB Kiwi is set to have direct Australian involvement with the announcement on Wednesday that Ozzie Kheir has selected the Mitch Freedman-trained Asakura for his slot in the $4 million Champions Day feature.
The Group One Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday is the second of the major autumn sprints in Melbourne and race favourite Point Barrow did not get the ideal barrier, drawing 10 in the final field of 14.