RACING FORUM

Posted: **Tue Mar 07, 2017 23:16 pm**

Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby has warned racegoers not to underestimate his two stayers Penglai Pavilion and Polarisation, who are set to line up in the Gr1 Sydney Cup at Royal Randwick on day two of The Championships (8th April), reports Godolphin.com. The pair touched down in Australia yesterday, accompanied by stable-mate Gold Trail who is being aimed at the Mornington Cup on 25 March. They will spend just under three weeks in quarantine at Canterbury racecourse in Sydney. Assistant trainer James Ferguson said the horses had arrived in good order from Dubai. "All three will stretch their legs tomorrow morning [today] and will gradually build into fast work in the coming days," Ferguson said. "I couldn't be happier with the way they have travelled and it's great to be back in Australia for the carnival." Despite having not raced for about six months, Appleby says the 3200 metres of the Sydney Cup first-up will not be a problem for the duo who have kept themselves fit over the jumps. "For me, our European horses coming down to Australia with the experience of jumping is a major plus. The typical race day in Australia is completely different to the race day we have in Europe," Appleby said. "Three hours before a race in Australia, a horse is tethered up. We never have to do that in the UK, so you need to have a horse that has the right mind-set for it, and those jumping horses are hardened horses, who have done the travelling."