Japanese stars of the turf stretched their legs for the first time at the Canterbury quarantine centre on Tuesday but their reputations well and truly preceded them.
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It was nothing more than a canter for a media call before another 30 minutes of walking. As is the Japanese style, it will be another week before they get serious.
"They have settled in nicely and are handling everything as well as we could hope at this stage," said Sydney-based hoop Yusuke Ichikawa, who is working within the Yasutoshi Ikee camp.
Ikee has sent To The World, Tosen Stardom and World Ace for a variety of group 1 races in the next month, while the Noriyuki Hori-trained Real Impact, a group 1 winner in his homeland, makes up Team Japan.
World Ace is $8 equal favourite for the Doncaster alongside First Seal and Hallowed Crown, while Real Impact is on the next line of betting with the TAB at $11. The Japanese are kept safe in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, where Cox Plate winner Adelaide is a $4.60 favourite, with To The World a $6 chance and Tosen Stardom at $8.
"They are the top of betting in the Doncaster and Queen Elizabeth Stakes on reputation alone," TAB's Glenn Munsie said.
"They have better form than any horses that have come out here before. Delta Blues, Admire Rakti and Hana's Goal all won group 1s and these [horses] are a different class. They have been running in group 1s over there and been competitive."
Northern Farm holds significant shares in the quartet and have opted to use Australian jockeys and give them a start before The Championships.
Nick Hall has been booked to ride To The World - rated Japan's best three-year-old last year - in the BMW and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and will also ride World Ace in the George Ryder Stakes before the Doncaster.
Tommy Berry will ride Tosen Stardom in the Ranvet Stakes and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, while Real Impact will run in the George Ryder Stakes and Doncaster with James McDonald in the saddle.
"The good thing for punters is that they are going to get to see these horses before The Championships. If they run well there is no doubt they will probably be favourites in the Doncaster and Queen Elizabeth Stakes," Munsie said.
Meanwhile defending champion Lankan Rupee was given topweight of 58.5 kilograms for the Newmarket Handicap, to be run at Flemington on March 14,, while Terravista was allotted 56.5kg.
Golden Rose winner Manawanui has been retired after bleeding for a second time after winning a Rosehill barrier trial on Tuesday.
