After travelling across the world, Gorge and Onajet seem to be settling in very well in Britain just five weeks before creating history by becoming the first Australian runners at the Cheltenham festival.
The duo trained by Antony Cosgriff are currently lodging at Mark Johnston’s stables whilst getting ready for their Cheltenham bid and are both to be given prep runs before they go to Cheltenham in March.
Gorge a 50-1 shot with Paddy Power for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle is the more fancied of the pair for the festival and has decent Australian form over a shorter distance than he will encounter at Cheltenham.
"Gorge has settled in very well now. He can be highly strung and he was getting himself very stressed in the first 48 hours or so, but that's not abnormal for him," said Cosgriff.
"We changed a few things around with his routine and it's good that he has Onajet with him. He's eating everything now and his weight is basically right on ideal because he didn't lose a lot coming over.
"One of the reasons that we are here is because he has always been crying out for three miles and there aren't the opportunities for him in Australia.”
Cosgriff is hoping to give Gorge a prep run in the Premier Kelso Hurdle on March 6 before going to Cheltenham. Onajet is being aimed at the Grade One Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle on March 17 but will probably be seen at Ayr for a pipe opener before then.
Cosgriff admits that Onajet would have to improve on what he has shown to date to be competitive at the Festival, but he is hoping the style of British racing suits.
"Onajet is more of a big, tall, chasing type of horse and it would be interesting to see how he got on in a chase over here.
"It's going to be huge for the owners, who have never been to a big meeting like this and they are all coming over to take in the atmosphere. It's certainly going to be an extra special thrill for everyone involved."
Follow this link to Paddy Power for all the latest markets for the Cheltenham festival.