Co-trainer Murray Baker says horrible conditions in New Zealand have left two runners short of their best when they resume in Saturday's Group II Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley.
Baker and co-trainer Andrew Forsman will run ATC Australian Oaks winner Bonneval and Group I Bonecrusher Stakes (2000m) winner Lizzie L'Amour in Saturday's $250,000 race but said both would need the hit-out.
Sportsbet has Bonneval as a $7.50 chance to win first-up with Lizzie L'Amour at $12 in its 'all-in' Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes market.
The mares worked together at Moonee Valley on Tuesday morning, covering 1200m in 1:21.31 with the last 400m in 23.69 seconds, but Baker was just happy to have his charges working on firm footing.
"You have got to remember these horses have come out of a terrible New Zealand winter," Baker said.
"It has been the severest winter we have had for 30 years. It just rains the whole time so it's hard on horses.
"You have them ready to trial and the trials are cancelled, you have them ready to jump out and the jumpouts are cancelled and you have just got to do your best."
Baker said both Bonneval and Lizzie L'Amour were likely to find the locals too slick in their first-up assignment but the pair had already started to thrive since arriving in Melbourne a week ago.
"They have only been here a week and they have improved already," Baker said. "They take off when they get there.
"It's a matter of getting them into the groove. They'll measure up."
Bonneval, a daughter of Makfi, also won the New Zealand Oaks in a terrific autumn campaign but Australian punters have not seen Lizzie L'Amour, a lightly-raced Zabeel five-year-old.
"I rate her," Baker said of Lizzie L'Amour. "She's a Group I weight-for-age winner over 2000m and she's a Group III winner over 2400m.
"She's only had 11 starts and won five so she has got good ability."
Damien Oliver rode Lizzie L'Amour in her gallop and will be aboard Saturday while Damian Lane will pilot Bonneval after working her on Tuesday.
