Sydney Cup equal favourite Post Impressionist arrives as William Haggas chases more Autumn Carnival riches

English trainer William Haggas has won three of the past four Queen Elizabeth Stakes but will have a different target in mind during the Sydney Autumn Carnival.

Trainer William Haggas will only have one runner this autumn in Sydney. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Sydney Cup equal favourite Post Impressionist has arrived in Australia as English trainer William Haggas prepares to ramp up his latest Sydney Autumn Carnival raid.

Post Impressionist landed over the weekend as part of a contingent of five internationals that have set up camp at Canterbury Park Quarantine Centre ahead of the upcoming The Championships.

Haggas has enjoyed an abundance of success in Sydney in recent years, winning three Queen Elizabeth Stakes with Addeybb (twice) and Dubai Honour.

From last to first in the £100,000 @BetfairExchange Old Borough Cup!

Post Impressionist finishes with a rattle to deny the strong-travelling Caius Chorister for @TomMarquand and @WilliamHaggas in the big handicap at @haydockraces 🏇 pic.twitter.com/qS40eMSctE

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 9, 2023

Post Impressionist will be the English conditioner’s sole representative this autumn after a minor setback denied Dubai Honour the chance to defend his $5m Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) crown.

Racing NSW also confirmed over the weekend that stablemate Mujtaba also would not be making the long journey to Australia.

Post Impressionist is an $8 equal favourite with More Felons for this year’s Group 1 $2m Sydney Cup (3200m).

Golden Eagle winner Obamburumai will arrive in Australia later this month. Picture: Jason McCawley-Getty Images

Post Impressionist was joined on the flight by four imports that will join Sydney stables after spending the mandatory two weeks in quarantine.

Group 1 winners Via Sistina (Chris Waller), Place Du Carrousel (Anthony and Sam Freedman) and Poptronic (Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott) all have Group 1 nominations throughout The Championships.

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Golden Eagle winner Obamburumai is expected to arrive in Australia later this month with Japanese trainer Keiji Yoshimura keen to target the $4m Doncaster Mile during The Championships at Royal Randwick.

Obamburumai is an $8 TAB second favourite for the Doncaster with Sydney hoop Josh Parr set to continue his partnership with the classy four-year-old.

“We are pleased to see such depth with 3 group one winners among this shipment and this will be complemented by Golden Eagle winner Obamburamai expected to arrive mid-March,’’ Australian Turf Club executive general manager racing and wagering James Ross said.