While most European imports typically need a preparation or two to adapt, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott appear to have a knack for getting them to perform effectively from the outset.
The Tulloch Lodge trainers have already witnessed early success with horses such as the multiple Group 1 champion Sir Delius, who claimed victory on his local debut in 2025; Eliyass, who also won a stakes race at his first Australian start; and Just Fine, who secured the 2023 Kingston Town Stakes-Metropolitan double across his second and third starts in Australia.
It is Just Fine’s achievement that their latest recruit, The Euphrates, will seek to replicate in Saturday’s Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick, having previously won the first leg with a commanding run in the Kingston Town Stakes (2000m).
Bott mentioned that the two-year period The Euphrates spent recovering following his arrival in Australia meant his acclimatisation was a seamless process. He also conveyed confidence in the Tulloch Lodge system’s approach to sourcing international talent, highlighting its effectiveness in identifying horses capable of immediate impact.
“We are selective in what we try to target to bring out,” Bott commented. “That helps, the selection process and targeting the right horses to the style that will suit the training and racing. That’s a big benefit.”
A Listed winner and a dual Group placegetter in Ireland, The Euphrates experienced a series of minor setbacks upon his arrival, including a brief period of illness and a subsequent muscle strain, which prevented him from making his Australian debut until this current spring racing season.
However, in line with many previous Tulloch Lodge imports, he has made an immediate impression, winning the Kingston Town Stakes at just his second local appearance.
That race clearly demonstrated the horse’s high cruising speed, and it is this capability to maintain a strong gallop that Bott anticipates will carry The Euphrates a long way.
“He’s always been a very talented horse. He had good form coming over here, and he’s just had a bit of bad luck that we didn’t see him at the races for twelve months or so,” Bott stated. “But he’ll sustain that pace you saw the other day. He ran the same time over a mile, he’ll run it over 2000, he’ll run it over 2400 and hopefully sustain it over two miles as well.”
The Metropolitan (2400m), which has been downgraded from Group 1 to Group 2 status this year, has attracted a field of 13 runners. The race is currently headed by exciting young stayer and the $2.20 favourite, Aethelwulf, with The Euphrates being the $4.40 second pick.
Check out the latest Australian betting sites for the best odds on the Metropolitan.
