That is the view of Pakenham trainer Phillip Stokes ahead of Mr Quickie contesting Saturday's group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington.

Mr Quickie, which is managed by Ballarat-base syndicator Wylie Dalziel Roy Higgins Racing, has his first start as a four-year-old on Saturday having not raced since winning the Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm in June.

A spell in Queensland enjoying the winter sun rather than the cold, wet and windy conditions at Pakenham has Stokes looking forward to the return.

For Stokes, a finish in the top five or six will be a pass mark while also noting there is improvement to come.

"Last time in he won first-up over 1400 metres," Stokes said. "He's had the grounding for it but there's nothing like match fitness.

"He will improve off it, but it's a real race and it will give us a good indication of which way we'll go in the spring."

Mr Quickie is a first acceptor in the Cox Plate and has been weighted at 53kg and 52.5kg respectively in the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups. He is also entered in the Epsom Handicap, 1600m, at Randwick.

Stokes says there is still a lot to play out before Mr Quickie is considered for any of those spring features.

Even though Mr Quickie was successful at 2000m and 2400m last campaign, Stokes wants to see the gelding produce his form during the spring.

"I know he's won over 2000 metres and 2400 metres, but is he a miler?," Stokes queried.

"Hopefully we'll find all that out on Saturday."

A GROUP of 18 European horses, including Melbourne Cup favourites Mustajeer and Constantinople, have entered quarantine in England ahead of the trip to Australia for spring carnival features.

Those horses, 11 owned in Australian interests including six who will join local stables, will spend two weeks in quarantine in Newmarket before flying to Melbourne.

They are scheduled to arrive in Melbourne on September 28 to begin post-export quarantine at Werribee.

Three Japanese horses - Suzuka Devious, Meiner Fanrong, and Meiner Wunsch - are due to arrive at Werribee on September 24, four days before the first shipment of European horses.

Another three Japanese horses - Caulfield Cup joint favourite Mer De Glace, and Cox Plate invitees Kluger and Lys Gracieux - are scheduled to arrive in Melbourne on October 1 to take the number of horses at Werribee to 24.

A second shipment of European horses, primarily targeting the Melbourne Cup, is due in Melbourne on October 12.

This group is expected to include defending Melbourne Cup champion Cross Counter and last year's runner-up Marmelo.