Their sucess rate is abysmal generally.

As many have pointed out the challenges of adapting to a different style of racing with different tempo and different going coming off the back of a 48 trip and not racing for 6 or more weeks - is usually too much of an ask.

Certainly the publicity has been great for the Melbourne Spring carnival as an event - generating a lot of marketing value. Well done to the VRC and RVL.

As far as punters go though - a bookies benefit.

The Japanese horses probably were the biggest 'threat' to the locals - I imagine their strike rate was pretty good - but changes to the quarantine laws have sidelined them.

I wouldnt count the NZ horses as raiders.

As a punter I like the presence of the international horses cause they inflate the prices available about the real local chances - providing better value.