Different food and training methods, a longer-than-expected quarantine period and not to mention the language barrier.
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Esti Feny has had a few hurdles to jump on his way to his Australian debut.
But Warwick Farm-trainer Matthew Smith is confident his Hungarian horse can run a good race.
The five-year-old son of Pigeon Catcher will have his first run Down Under in the inaugural $150,000 Canberra Mile (1600 metres) at Thoroughbred Park on Friday.
Smith has had some success buying European horses and said Esti Feny fit his profile.
He's had six wins from 14 starts, along with five places, including two group 1 wins and one group 2.
But how that Hungarian form will stack up not even Smith knows.
Esti Feny's last two runs were in Germany, however, for a fourth and a second in listed races.
Smith felt that form would stand up in Australia.
"Myself and Avo [Damirdjian], from Tried and True Bloodstock, we do a lot of sourcing of horses throughout Europe and he came up on the radar as he ticked the criteria we looked for," he said.
"So we went about trying to buy him and here he is.
"He's a nice horse to have here. He's won from 1400-2800m so he's a pretty versatile galloper.
"He's a good style of horse too. Interesting.
"It'd be fair to say the Hungarian form's not real strong, but he's raced in Germany against good horses and he's competed well there so it gives us the idea he's going to be good enough for out here no problems."
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But he's still got to adjust to life in Australia.
Everything's different to Hungary: the food, the training. Plus there was an extra month spent in quarantine because of his country of origin.
It's taken a while for Esti Feny to find his way to Smith, with his last run in May last year.
"We don't know how they feed them over there. We don't know how they work them," he said.
"The horse has got to get here, they've got to adapt and be able to cope with the change ... and if they can do that then sometimes they'll improve a lot."
Smith won't formulate any plans for his five-year-old until he's seen how he adjusts to Aussie life.
But the $250,000 Canberra Cup (2000m) could be on the cards.
The first two horses past the post in the Mile earn automatic selection for the Cup.
"I'm not sure. It's his first preparation in Australia. Obviously we train them differently to what they do," Smith said.
"It's a bit of a finding out preparation to see where he fits in and what's his best distance - we don't know that.
"Just a bit of a fact-finding mission to see how we go, but it's possible if he ran well tomorrow we'd bring him back for the Canberra Cup."
Smith's also bringing three other horses: For Love in the benchmark 60 handicap (1000m), Indignant in the maiden plate (1200m) and Mariana Dancer in the maiden handicap (1400m).
"For Love's had a run under her belt. She looks in good shape. Her run was good the other day in Newcastle," Smith said.
"She's ready to go. And the two maidens are just kicking off their preparation so we just have to look at those."
Scorse's sauce
Former leading jockey John Scorse provides all the tips you need for Canberra's inaugural Canberra Mile Day on Friday.
Best bet: Race 9, No.4 Spartan
Impressive maiden winner then spelled. Very strong late after a slow start first-up. He can get them this time.
Best roughie: Race 5, No.13 Eaglehawk
Unlucky in both runs this time in and despite a poor win-record he is going better this prep and can surprise.
Race one
Tips: 4 Sciconic, 2 Hamogany, 8 Charm Maker, 1 Dip Me Lid
Sciconic is well bred and looks to be here for a confidence boost, although he was beaten at odds on last time. His overall form makes him top pick here, that said he is on notice. Hamogany should peak at third run this time and just behind top pick at Newcastle last time makes him the quinella horse. Charm Maker had an improved effort last time when placed at Goulburn in the wet. This distance looks ideal for him.
Race two
Tips: 1 Abiding, 2 Fast Melody, 6 Riverstock, 9 Stand Your Ground
Abiding is only two starts in very good grade and most unlucky on debut before chasing Super Seth!! Has had three trials so will be ready. Fast Melody was city placed on debut and a repeat of that would see him in the finish with his stablemate, watch market. Riverstock chased hard when placed here last time, bred for further so place claims best here. Stand Your Ground is an exotics chance on last run.
Race three
Tips: 12 Danaat, 7 Shenandoah, 10 Vol Prive, 1 Bring It Back
Danaat was very good on debut when just behind the placegetters, forgive last run when easy in the market and stuck in the wrong part of the track. Chance in a very tricky race. Shenandoah chased hard when placed on debut in strong maiden and will improve but widest gate is the concern. Otherwise she is the one here. Vol Prive was in trouble at the start when well beaten at Kembla last start, only placing was here so can improve from ideal draw.
Race four
Tips: 5 Jewel Of The Clan, 7 Eltham Palace, 4 For Love, 8 Imitation Game
Jewel Of The Clan is race fit, in form, speedy and gets a 3kg claim so will look the winner at some stage on her home track. Eltham Palace was ridden off the speed and showed a good turn of foot last time. Well drawn and similar tactics will see her right in the finish here. For Love is a smart miss who shows good ability and placed in strong race first up. Big chance on last run. Imitation Game is a consistent type who will finish strongly as he always does.
Race five
Tips: 6 Buzz 'N' Joe, 10 Actuarial, 5 First Crown, 13 Eaglehawk
Buzz 'N' Joe had a solid win this trip first up then straight to class two at provincials and not disgraced. He is improving and a good chance in an open race. Actuarial had a solid win this distance last prep and smashed out of it at Wagga when resuming. She can improve here at good odds. Forget First Crown's last run on a very wet day when he drew the fence and had no hope from there. Previous win here this t/d is the best reference. Eaglehawk is the smoky in this.
Race six
Tips: 10 Tudor Music, 1 Aftermath, 3 On The Lead, 7 One Super Chick
Tudor Music brings the all important race experience here with a win and two placings from 4 runs and can make use of middle draw. Aftermath is set for debut with four trials and the stable having a great season with their 2yos. He will be there all the way from the ideal gate. On The Lead trialled very well and in all conditions, watch market.
Race seven
Tips: 6 Bellegano, 8 I Am Kalani, 2 Sausedge, 1 Levee Bank
Bellegano is good fresh and has only 51kg. Can cause an upset at big odds if things go her way in a very open race. I Am Kalani is a smart mare coming here second up and can get all the favours from a good draw. Sausedge is a classy mare who resumes as a winner of 2/4 first up and loves her home track. Big weight and a wide gate so she needs the breaks. Levee Bank can't be taken lightly.
Race eight
Tips: 4 Maid Of Ore, 3 Spunlago, 11 Cinquedea, 12 Coterie
Maid Of Ore has won 7/14 so has the class to win this wide open race. Huge effort first up and drops 8kgs. Previously unbeaten at the trip. Spunlago is very honest and consistent with the limit weight and inside draw. Has as good a chance as any. Cinquedea is a very consistent mare who is never far away and always in good company. Back in distance but has strong claims. Coterie is some chance on last win.
Race nine
Tips: 4 Spartan, 2 Gaelic, 5 Trust The Process, 6 Foxborough
Spartan is lightly raced but looks a real nice horse. Super effort first up and will be very hard to beat here. Gaelic had a strong win on debut in heavy conditions in town and will be on speed again. Trust The Process is unbeaten in Canberra and resuming here. He will get all the favours. Foxborough has contested some top grade races so will not be far away in this.