Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby will commence his assault on the Melbourne spring carnival with two runners at the weekend.
Appleby blazed a trail last year, winning feature races with unheralded Francis Of Assisi, Oceanographer and Qewy as well as finishing second in the Caulfield Cup with Scottish from a handful of runners.
The Newmarket-based trainer will start Kidmenever in the Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield and Folkswood in Sunday's Cranbourne Cup.
Both horses galloped at Werribee on Saturday and Appleby told the Sporting Life he was happy with the pair.
"We fitted the winkers to Kidmenever and he led Folkswood in the first part of the gallop," Appleby said
"At the finish, they were upsides (together), which is what we wanted, so the experience will have served them well."
#MelbourneCup watch from Werribee. #Kidmenever leads #Folkswood in a gallop ahead of their Australian debuts this weekend #SpringCarnivalpic.twitter.com/pClOp04VVB
— Godolphin (@godolphin) October 8, 2017
Kidmenever has not raced since finishing runner-up in the Listed Gala Stakes over a mile and a quarter at Sandown on July 7.
Folkswood last ran on June 3 when finishing fifth of seven in the Group III Diomed Stakes over one mile and half a furlong at Epsom.
Appleby has already secured riders for both horses at the weekend.
"Glyn Schofield will ride Kidmenever in the Herbert Power, while Kerrin McEvoy has been booked for Folkswood in the Cranbourne Cup," Appleby said.
"We will also pay up for Folkswood in the Group One Caulfield Stakes on Saturday to keep our options open"
Meanwhile, Qewy is being aimed at another win in the Geelong Cup and Francis Of Assisi at the Caulfield Cup.
"Both have settled in very nicely and if they can perform up to the standard of their efforts last year, we will be happy," Appleby said.
"Overall, I am very happy with how the four horses have travelled and settled in.
"This weekend will tell us a lot."
