Jimmy Choux had the support of two nations when he went to the Hong Kong International meet at the end of last year but he just couldn’t keep up the frantic pace he’d shown throughout his prep.

He was by no means disgraced by his performance but it certainly looked like that of a tired horse.

Unfortunately for Jimmy Choux only now can he truly take a breather after a marathon trip back to Australia.

Trainer John Bary says it’s been a tricky process but they’re now almost in the clear.

“It’s been a long drawn out affair, generally due to the quarantine issues Australia has in place,” he said.

“He’s at Werribee now and clears there on about the 18th.”

Bary says while he’s naturally disappointed not to leave Hong Kong with a win it’s hard to criticise the horse given the campaign he’s had.

“He’s done us proud and he finished just in behind them, his 6th Group 1 in his third country,” he said.

“Up in Hong Kong they wait for you, they’re’ fresh…we’ve just come off the back of a long prep that’s all that’s happened.”

He also said things didn’t really go to plan when they were over they’re either, the horse even burst a blood vessel in his leg after knocking it in the box.

“He hasn’t done that well in Hong Kong to be honest…it hasn’t been ideal and we hope it hasn’t put us on the backburner,” he said.

Jimmy Choux is back in Australia ahead of an autumn program but just what that program will entail remains to be seen.

“We were keen for the Australian Cup and I hope we still are but he’ll tell us,” he said.

If they’re unable to make Melbourne though the team is happy to push north to the Sydney carnival.