Top 5 International Horses For The 2022 Melbourne Spring Carnival
- Justin Darcy provides his top 5 international prospects for the 2022 Spring Carnival
- Internationals will feature across the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup
- Find out which horses to follow across the spring
State Of Rest is likely to return to Australia to defend his Cox Plate crown. (Getty)
The Melbourne Spring Carnival year in, year out features some of the world's best horses from overseas which can often be hard to line-up with the Australian form lines.
Justin Darcy has found five international horses that are likely to head to Melbourne for the Spring Carnival and that we should be following.
Top 5 International Horses For The Spring Carnival
1. Real World - Cox Plate
It is becoming more and more likely by the day that Saeed Bin Surror will bring one of his star gallopers to Australia for the 2022 Cox Plate, just as he did with Benbatl in 2018 where he was beaten by a racing legend in Winx.
Runner-up to the world's highest rated horse, Baeed, at his last two starts over the mile, his new task will be tackling the 2040m journey for the first time since his poor performance on the Meydan dirt in January.
It is fair to say that this entire saves his best for turf tracks, boasting a record of seven starts for five wins and two seconds (both to Baeed), so it may be scary for his rivals if he brings this form to Australian shores.
2. Cleveland - Melbourne Cup
Now in the care of Joseph O'Brien, this four-year-old is still lightly raced and looks a certain starter to make his way out to Australia, following a great second place in Leapordstown over 2400m last start at Group Three level.
He took out the Chester Cup (3700m) three starts back and followed that up with a great second placing at Royal Ascot over 2200m, a trip that is short of his best.
With a stakes placing next to his name, he is now qualified to make the field of the Melbourne Cup and with a little help from the handicapper, to me he looks not only a great chance, but the one they need to beat.
3. Deauville Legend - Melbourne Cup
The son of Sea The Stars is another lightly raced Northern Hemishphere three-year-old which has been a successful trend in this great race in recent years.
A Group Three winner two starts back, he is qualified to run in the race and should sneak in with a lighter weight which will give trainer James Ferguson every chance to claim Australia's greatest race.
Bon Ho has plenty of horses tied to Australia, and owning this up and comer sees him as a highly likely contender to reach the starting blocks in the 2022 Melbourne Cup.
4. State Of Rest - Cox Plate
Last year's Cox Plate winner has to be a chance again this year with some very impressive international form next to his name subsequently, including a win in the Prince Of Wales Stakes two starts back.
The issue is the effort that he put in last start in the Group One Prix Du Jacques le Marois over the mile last start, beaten nearly 10-lengths by Inspiral, although did sit on what was a fast pace so he can be forgiven.
Currently '90%' to make his way over to Australia to defend his crown, the jury is now out as to whether he can bounce back from that effort in France, but a star nonetheless and will have his fans.
5. Zechariah - Caulfield Cup
Not entirely convinced that he comes over, but the nominations have been thrown in by trainers Freddie & Martyn Meade which indicate that Australia is at least on their mind.
He finished second in the Queen's Vase at Group Two level three starts back at Royal Ascot which is well and truly strong enough form for this, while he started favourite over Deauville Legend two starts back when finishing fourth.
He has since been to Newbury and taken out the Group Three Geoffrey Freer Stakes in what was an impressive display, so if he does book his spot on the plane, expect the price to tumble in too.
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