When it comes to racing, Australians are very much monarchists. Ever since Choisir blazed the famous trail to Royal Ascot in 2003, owners of the best sprinters in the country have not been able to resist the lure of the King's Stand and Golden Jubilee, and the chance to meet the Queen.
In breeding, it makes sense to prove your sprinter can win on both sides of the world. It guarantees a lucrative career beyond the racecourse. The world has become smaller with the shuttling of stallions.
However, of the handful of Australian Royal Ascot winners, only Starspangledbanner, which won the 2010 Golden Jubilee, has been a stallion prospect since. Takeover Target, Miss Andretti and Scenic Blast have won the King's Stand, and their owners and trainers have been there not for the prizemoney, which is modest compared with Australia, but the experience. ''I've lived all my life to do this. It's an enormous thrill for me,'' Lee Freedman said in his top hat and tails after Miss Andretti's win at Royal Ascot. That from a man who has won five Melbourne Cups. Royal Ascot has been the highlight of English racing for 300 years, but the dream of having an Eliza Dolittle moment gives Australian horses another place to go after winning at home.
This year, perhaps our best horses in two decades will line up at Ascot. Dual Cox Plate winner So You Think should return for another crack at the Royal meeting, while unbeaten superstar Black Caviar, Hay List and Sepoy, which has won 10 of his 11 starts, have the five-day meeting on their agenda. Caulfield Guineas winner Helmet is also on the plane, while Foxwedge will be given every chance of joining them. ''It is like the English stayers coming over here and trying to win the Melbourne Cup, it is the ultimate challenge,'' said Neil Werrett, Black Caviar's managing owner. ''There is something magical about Royal Ascot, and for her to prove herself there would be incredible.''
This year, in particular, to see our best the first thing you will need is a passport. But should Australian racing fans complain? We have been able to watch the exploits of this outstanding group for the past couple of years, and it is not like they have anything left to prove here.
If a golfer or tennis player were dominant during the Australian summer and didn't play in the majors or grand slam events, the sporting public would question their mentality.
On the global stage, our horses have been underrated for too long. Taking on the rest of the world in Dubai and Europe at the peak of their careers is the right and best option. Too often our horses have gone to international race meetings as an afterthought. Hong Kong in December has become little more than an added extra to the spring carnival, and it has proved a bridge too far.
The only pity is Sepoy will probably only meet Black Caviar on the other side of the world. Sepoy has lived in Black Caviar's shadow, like the rest of Australian racing, even though he has a remarkable record of winning the Golden Slipper and Blue Diamond as a juvenile before taking out the Manikato and Coolmore stakes during the spring.
Peter Snowden has done a great job with Sepoy and Helmet, and deserves the glory of winning in front of his boss Sheikh Mohammed at the World Cup meeting before passing them on to Godolphin.
The owners of Black Caviar have made it clear Royal Ascot is her main target for the year. ''We want her there at her best'' has been their mantra. If the best way to fly our flag there is via Dubai, then do it. Last year, So You Think proved our best are at least the equal of Europe. It could get even better this time around.
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