Gai Waterhouse has joined the growing band of trainers sourcing stayers from Europe but will revert to a stable tradition in the Australia Day Cup with a trio of ex new Zealanders.

Group One placegetters Tullamore and Reuben Percival will be joined by up-and-comer Travolta in Saturday’s 2400m feature at Warwick Farm.

Waterhouse’s success with former Kiwis includes five winners of the Metropolitan (2400m) – Herculian Prince (2010), In Joyment (1998), Hula Flight (1996), Electronic (1995) and Te Akau Nick who gave the trainer her first Group One trophy in 1992.

The trainer’s husband Rob is a keen student of New Zealand racing and has selected many of her stayers from videos of their performances.

Reuben Percival, third in the 2012 Metropolitan, and Travolta filled the placings behind the Chris Waller-trained Moriarty in the recent Gosford Cup while 2011 Caulfield Cup third Tullamore was unplaced first-up at Warwick Farm.

“I’ll have the three runners,” Waterhouse said.

Premier trainer Waller also has three potential runners but will monitor Marden and Secessio who finished third and fourth behind Kukri at Rosehill on Saturday before a decision on whether they will back up.

He also has Lucripetous in the mix after his second to the Peter Snowden-trained Kukri on January 12.

“I’ll just have a look at all of them over the next couple of days before I decide whether they run,” Waller said.

Ironstein is a definite starter with trainer Gerald Ryan saying he is on track for a trip to Tasmania for next month’s Hobart and Launceston Cups.

At his first run since his Melbourne spring campaign, Ironstein finished 6-1/2 lengths from Moriarty in the Gosford Cup and beat just one runner home.

“He didn’t appreciate the tight track at Gosford,” Ryan said.

“He seems bright and well so he will go to the Australia Day Cup.”

Brenton Avdulla, who partnered Ironstein to Group placings in the JRA Cup, Moonee Valley Cup and Queen Elizabeth Stakes over the spring, retains the ride.