Prognosis

Prognosis (Image: Japan Racing Association)

Wait on Prognosis travel plans

Japanese star Prognosis remains atop Racing Victoria's wishlist for this year's Cox Plate, its international recruiter has confirmed.

Paul Bloodworth said connections of the six-year-old are considering a trip to Melbourne this spring, although no firm commitment to travel has been communicated.

A three-time Group 2 winner over 2000m in Japan, Prognosis ran second to Romantic Warrior in last year's Hong Kong Cup (2000m) and also boasts a G1 placing behind the now-retired champion Equinox in mid-2023.

The son of Deep Impact is the $8 equal second favourite in Sportsbet's Cox Plate market and is expected to feature in the race's first round of nominations when they are released on Tuesday afternoon.

"Prognosis is clearly our number one seed for the Cox Plate from an international perspective this year," Bloodworth said.

"He's a serious horse with form around superstars like Romantic Warrior and Equinox.

"His trainer Mitsu Nakauchida and his owners at Shadai Farm are considering the Cox Plate, so we're just waiting for them to confirm.

"We've done as much as we can, so the ball is in their court."

Bloodworth also confirmed that Japanese stayer Warp Speed is a strong chance of being campaigned in Australia this spring.

The five-year-old ran placings in the G2 Hanshin Daishoten (3000m) and the G3 Diamond Stakes (3400m) earlier this year, while also finishing fifth behind T O Royal in the G1 Tenno Sho (3000m) at his most recent start.

"Warp Speed is a very talented stayer in Japan who ran fifth in their best staying race, the Tenno Sho Spring at his last start," he said.

"He is as firm a Japanese runner that we've got at the moment.

"The trainer and the owner have signaled their intention to bring him for both Cups which is great, so he could run in the Caulfield Cup and the Melbourne Cup."