Melbourne Cup dreams for Relentless Voyager were quashed when he failed Racing Victoria’s strict veterinary tests, but connections still harbour aspirations to plunder riches north of the border.
While the gelding didn’t pass muster with RV when examined prior to leaving Europe, he was cleared by Racing NSW vets to compete in Sydney.
Trainer Ciaron Maher and his team are continuing to ready the horse for his local debut after his withdrawal from the Rosehill Gold Cup (2000m) last week and have set their sights on Saturday’s $2 million Five Diamonds (1800m) as his next target.
Assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord said Relentless Voyager had taken time to acclimatise and would only line up at Rosehill if the stable was completely happy with him.
“We scratched him last week. We will see how he is and how he is doing over the rest of the week,” Gerard-Dubord said.
“He is fresh, it’s 1800 metres and it’s a good prizemoney race.”
The five-year-old, who was purchased out of Europe by Australian Bloodstock, boasts some solid form references, including a Group 3 placing over 2414m at Goodwood in August.
He also finished just behind subsequent Bendigo Cup winner Sea King and Geelong Cup winner Onesmoothoperator in the Ebor Handicap (2816m) at York at his most recent appearance.
While his best form is over further than the 1800m of the Five Diamonds, Gerard-Dubord says Relentless Voyager hasn’t been pressured on the training track and remains bright and well.
“He is a bit one-paced in his work, but you never know with the European horses,” he said.
“We haven’t done much with him, we have kept him nice and fresh and feeling good.
“The form out of the Ebor has been very good.”
The Maher stable will have to sweat on a start for their other Five Diamonds hopeful Holymanz, who is now third emergency after edging a step closer with the early scratching of Desert Lightning.
The withdrawal of the Victorian galloper has given first reserve Major Beel a chance to take his place, joining Tulloch Lodge stablemate New Endeavour in the field.
Holymanz was doing his best work late when fifth to Iknowastar in the Five Diamonds Prelude (1500m) and if he could force his way into the lineup, was expected to appreciate the distance rise.
“He found himself a long way back but just kept improving and he was very good through the line,” Gerard-Dubord said.
“The 1800 metres should be up his alley. He will probably have to be at his best, but he is very well.”