Blue Army foreigners to miss big carnival

GODOLPHIN’S international arm has pulled out of the 2020 spring carnival because of the heightened COVID-19 risk in Melbourne.

English trainer Charlie Appleby, who delivered the Blue Army its first Melbourne Cup in 2018, was planning to return with Cross Counter and Barney Roy until stage 4 restrictions came into effect.

Barney Roy was an equal favourite for the $5 million Cox Plate before nominations closed on Tuesday.

Godolphin’s longest-serving trainer Saeed bin Suroor canned this year’s carnival some time ago.

Racing Victoria general manager of international and racing operations Paul Bloodworth said it was a “great shame” to be without Godolphin imports this year.

“Both Saeed and Charlie have advised in the last few days that they won’t be coming to Australia this year,“Bloodworth said on Tuesday.

“It’s a great shame … Saeed being a regular in Australia for the last 30 years, and Charlie certainly in the last five or six years.”

But Godolphin Australia trainer James Cummings could be a force in the spring majors with Avilius, Colette and new arrival Munitions among the Cox Plate nominations.

Ireland’s juggernaut Coolmore trainer Aidan O’Brien has nominated a high-class team of 13, including 2019 contender Magic Wand and Ballydoyle Stable stars Japan and Magical.

International and New Zealand horses can be sent to Australia without trainers and stable staff. Japanese trainers will not be travelling horses this year because of travel and quarantine restrictions.