The Melbourne Cup 2012 may turn out to be just a pipedream for two Gai Waterhouse-trained northern hemisphere imports but jockey Nash Rawiller was confident that both Julienas and Glencadam Gold would develop into genuine spring hopes after partnering them in the Royal Randwick trials on Monday.

Hall of Famer Waterhouse may be one of the country’s most astute trainers but a win in the world’s richest handicap, the $6.2 million Group 1 Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m), has so far eluded her.

She will have gained a small grain of confidence yesterday however that this first Tuesday of November at Flemington could finally be the year after Rawiller gave two of her recent acquisitions glowing reports following their respective hitouts.

First up was Cape Cross five-year-old Julienas who ran a length and a quarter away third to stablemate Surfside in the day’s opening trial over 1200-metres.

The first hitout was a Waterhouse dominated affair with all but one of the runners prepared by Sydney’s leading lady of racing.

Julienas hasn’t raced since their dead last finish in the Group 3 Winter Hill Stakes (2018m) at Windsor in the UK last August but they did have an earlier Aussie trial at Randwick on June 29 when fourth over 1050m with Adam Hyeronimus in the saddle.

Lightly-raced with just 11 starts for three wins, including the Royal Hunt Cup over the Royal Ascot mile in June last year, Julienas has lots of upside according to Rawiller.

Then in the second four-year-old Refuse To Bend stallion Glencadam Gold, formerly prepared by Sir Henry Cecil at Newmarket, also caught the eye when a long neck away second to the John Thompson-trained Honourable Aussie over 1050-metres.

Glencadam Gold’s last turf triumph was over 2414-metres at Newmarket in May last year which was just their second career win from eight starts, a record Rawiller is confidence they can improve on down under with Waterhouse.

“I was wrapt with them both, they both jumped well in to nice positions, did everything right,” Rawiller said.

“They give every indication they are going to adapt to our racing without any problems.

“I didn’t think they would be at their best until they get up to a mile and a quarter, to see them trial like that this morning was certainly pleasing.”

A confirmed spring carnival campaign for the horses is yet to be confirmed by Waterhouse, currently on holidays, but Tulloch Lodge racing manager Bruce Slade said Julienas would be the first to resume in a few weeks’ time.

“Julienas will go to the races in the next couple of weeks, I haven’t got a date yet,” he said.

“Glencadam Gold will trial in a couple of weeks, he will go to the races after that.

“We will just try and take them through their grades.”

Before a trip to Victoria for a possible shot at the iconic Melbourne Cup Slade said Glencadam Gold would likely be targeted towards the $400,000 Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on October 6 during the Sydney Spring Racing Carnival.

“I think a race like The Metropolitan will be ideal for Glencadam Gold and that will give us an indication of his (Melbourne) Cup qualities,” Slade said.

“Julienas is a question mark over more than 2000-metres, he has really good mile form in UK which means he should run 10 furlongs here and be a nice horse.

“So far so good, Glencadam Gold was the highest rated horse we bought from England.

“His work has been good and his trial was pleasing, hopefully that keeps him in good stead for The Metropolitan.

“I’d say he would go through a race like the Hill Stakes on the way.”

The $200,000 Group 2 Hill Stakes (2000m) runs at Randwick on September 22.

Fellow Tulloch Lodge rep Mark Newnham agreed with Slade and Rawiller’s assessments and was happy with the way both gallopers had adapted to their new home.

“They seem to have acclimatised and adapted to the way we do things really quickly,” he said.

“Both jumped and put themselves right on the pace and then settled well.

“In terms of how they look, they are both more Australian types, they are big bulky horses, whereas a lot of the European horses are a bit finer.

“We were trying to find horses that they thought would suit our conditions, so far it looks good.”

Melbourne Cup 2012 nominations are due to be taken on September 4.

Punters don’t have to wait for the early entries however to get in on the Melbourne Cup betting action with bookmaker.com.au already running generous pre-nomination markets.

Both of Waterhouse’s imports are due to be added to the Melbourne Cup odds shortly so make sure you’re ready by opening a bookmaker.com.au account today!