Going into last Saturday, Australia may have had an Epsom classic pedigree like no other as well as the strongest of endorsements from the greatest living Epsom classic trainer, but the vibes were not so positive in the build up to the race.

Rumours about his well-being had been circulating for weeks, with his stable mate Geoffrey Chaucer attracting significant market support, not to mention looming rainstorms threatening to make the ground unsuitably soft for him.