Racing: Waterhouse imports coming to hand well

Rock'N' Pop could be one of the stars of the Gai Waterhouse stable this spring should he win the Epsom handicap. Photo / Getty Images

Melbourne Cup aspirations may be lofty at this stage but leading jockey Nash Rawiller was certainly all smiles after he test-drove Gai Waterhouse's European imports at Randwick on Monday.

Julienas and Glencadam Gold will add another dimension to Tulloch Lodge this spring as Waterhouse joins the list of Sydney trainers with overseas staying stock under their care.

Julienas, who appeared stocky to the eye, finished third in his 1200m trial behind Surfside, while Glencadam Gold, the higher rated of the pair, was second in his hit-out over 1050m to Honourable Aussie.

"I was rapt with them both, they both jumped well in to nice positions, did everything right," Rawiller told the Herald Sun on Monday.

"They give every indication they are going to adapt to our racing without any problems. I didn't think they would be at their best until they get up to a mile and a quarter. To see them trial like that this morning was certainly pleasing."

With Waterhouse not due back from her holiday until next week, racing manager Bruce Slade said plans for the pair had not been finalised.

"Julienas will go to the races in the next couple of weeks, I haven't got a date yet," he said. "Glencadam Gold will trial in a couple of weeks, he will go to the races after that.

"We will just try and take them through their grades. I think a race like The Metropolitan will be ideal for Glencadam Gold and that will give us an indication of his Cup qualities.

"Julienas is a question mark over more than 2000m. He has really good mile form in UK, which means he should run 10 furlongs here.

"So far so good, Glencadam Gold was the highest-rated horse we bought from England.

"His work has been good and his trial was pleasing, hopefully that keeps him in good stead for The Metropolitan. I'd say he would go through a race like the Hill Stakes on the way."

Mark Newnham, who has been in control of Tulloch Lodge while Waterhouse has been away, was also pleased with what he saw at the trials.

"They seem to have acclimatised and adapted to the way we do things really quickly," he said.

"Both jumped and put themselves right on the pace and then settled well.

"In terms of how they look, they are both more Australian types, they are big bulky horses, whereas a lot of the European horses are a bit finer.

"We were trying to find horses that they thought would suit our conditions. So far it looks good."

Rawiller also handed rave reviews to Kiwi import Rock'N' Pop, who has joined the Waterhouse stable.

Rock'N' Pop is no stranger to Australian racing, having finished eighth in the Rosehill Guineas behind Laser Hawk during the autumn.

"I thought his trial was terrific, he could be the perfect Epsom Handicap horse," Rawiller said. "I was really impressed with him."

The rising 4-year-old won his 1050m trial in 1: 05.7, easily beating his rivals.