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British import Maximal will have to overcome the ‘visitor’s draw’ when the three-quarter brother of the legendary Frankel makes his Australian debut in the A$7.5 million (£4.1m) Golden Eagle in Rosehill on Saturday.

After eight runs for Sir Michael Stoute in the Juddmonte colours, the son of Galileo joined John O'Shea in Sydney to race for a group of Australian investors and Juddmonte, who have retained an interest through CEO Douglas Erskine-Crum.

Maximal only has one victory to his name but during 2021 finished behind some of the season's outstanding horses, running second to top miler Baaeed in a Listed race, fourth to Classic winner Poetic Flare in the G1 St James's Palace Stakes and second to Irish Derby winner and Arc third Hurricane Lane.

"We were excited to get him and since he's got here he hasn't indicated that our assessment is wrong,'' O'Shea told Racing NSW. "He has the best form in the world up to a mile and since he's got here he's proven to be a horse of immense quality." 

O'Shea hopes Maximal, who will be ridden by Alysha Collett, can achieve a top level victory from his new base but his chances of doing so first time out have been hindered by him drawing the outside stall in the G1 race over 1,500m.

"Ideally we were hoping to be in a more forward position but when we drew 22 that's not going to be the case,'' he said.

"We'll try to be midfield or just worse with a bit of cover and if we find a three wide line that'd be great. He hasn't missed a beat, he's done very well and is very happy with himself."

He added: "Alysha has ridden well all year for us and she won't let us down on Saturday."

Two other imports Laws Of Indices, winner of the G1 Prix Jean Prat for Ken Condon, and Reve De Vol, who won a Listed race for Ger Lyons, make their Australian debuts in the same race for new trainer Annabel Neasham.