European imports often require a period to adjust to Australian conditions, but Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott possess a notable talent for preparing them for immediate impact.
The Tulloch Lodge trainers have achieved early triumphs with horses such as the multiple Group 1 winner Sir Delius, who secured victory on his local debut in 2025; Eliyass, who also claimed a stakes race on his Australian introduction; and Just Fine, who accomplished the 2023 Kingston Town Stakes-Metropolitan double across his second and third Australian starts.
It is Just Fine’s remarkable achievement that their most recent acquisition, The Euphrates, will aim to emulate in Saturday’s Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick, having already captured the initial leg with a dominant performance in the Kingston Town Stakes (2000m).
Bott commented that the two years The Euphrates spent recuperating after his arrival in Australia facilitated a smooth acclimatisation. He also expressed confidence in the Tulloch Lodge methodology for sourcing international talent, highlighting its effectiveness in identifying horses suited for immediate competition.
“We are selective in what we try to target to bring out,” Bott stated. “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 twice a Group placegetter in Ireland, The Euphrates encountered a series of minor setbacks upon his arrival, including a brief illness and a subsequent muscle strain, which delayed his Australian debut until this spring.
However, consistent with many previous Tulloch Lodge imports, he has made a swift impression, winning the Kingston Town Stakes in only his second local outing.
This race highlighted the horse’s exceptional sustained speed, and Bott anticipates this ability to maintain a strong pace will serve The Euphrates well.
“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 explained. “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), downgraded from Group 1 to Group 2 this year, has drawn a field of 13 competitors. The race is headed by the promising young stayer and current $2.20 favourite, Aethelwulf, with The Euphrates positioned as the $4.40 second favourite.
For those looking to get involved in the action, consider exploring the available racing odds at leading Australian betting sites.