Trainer David Payne is looking forward to welcoming recent Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock (ATB) import Terrubi into his stables this coming spring but knows a first-up campaign down under targeting the Melbourne Cup 2014 might not be ideal.

Purchased by the Darren Dance managed ATB with the specific goal of targeting the Spring Cups this season, Dalakhani stallion Terrubi is still residing and racing in France ahead of their move to Oz where they already feature in futures markets at Ladbrokes.com.au for the upcoming majors.

Prepared by Paul Bary before Payne takes over the stayer’s tutelage, the four-year-old has won three of their eight starts in France.

Most recently they secured their maiden Group win in the G2 Prix Maurice De Nieuil (2800m) at Longchamp on July 13 beating home fellow Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival prospect Brown Panther.

The Tom Dascombe-trained Brown Panther was in Australia last spring when eighth to Fiorente in the $6.2 million Group 1 Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington Racecourse and is being considered for a second shot at the world’s richest handicap.

That is despite the Michael Owen-owned Shirocco stallion finishing a well beaten third behind stablemates Cavalryman and Ahzeemah, both also on the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups’ path, last time out in the Group 2 Goodwood Cup (3218m) at the end of last month.

Terrubi meanwhile is next set to contest the Group 2 Prix Kergorlay in Deauville later this month over the 3000m, which has produced many strong spring contenders down under over recent years.

Before the galloper comes over however Payne will head to Europe to help with early quarantine preparations of Terrubi, who will also be aimed at the $3 million Group 1 BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 18.

“I’ll go just for three days to get his program right and everything sorted,” Payne told The Age.

“With training horses you can go anywhere.”

Early Caulfield Cup betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au are led by Kiwi mare Rising Romance and Waterhouse’s Sydney Cup winner The Offer at $15.

Terrubi meanwhile is also among the top half of the fancies paying $21 in the Caulfield Cup odds, the same price they pay in pre-nomination Melbourne Cup betting markets ahead of the November 4 showdown.

Confident he’s got a smart import among the ranks, Hayne is however wary of such testing Group 1 assignments on Aussie soil in their opening preparation here.

“It’s not always ideal to come in for the first preparation and aim straight towards the cups, but you’ve got to give the owners a chance,” he said.

“He’s a progressive horse and I think he’ll get better; that’s something to look forward to.

“If he’s doing what he’s doing now hopefully he will get better and that augurs well for the future.”

To back Terrubi at their generous early odds for the Spring Cups visit Ladbrokes.com.au and take advantage of their all-in markets giving you awesome prices ahead of the field announcements for the races that matter this season.