Leading Australian jockey, Craig Williams, has returned home to Melbourne this week after a successful two-month stint in Japan.

Williams, though, has a warning for Racing Victoria officials hoping to lure horses from Japan to the Spring Carnival.

Many of the leading Japanese trainers are obviously aware of the Melbourne and Caulfield Cups and the Cox Plate, but remain concerned by the length of quarantine their horses will have to endure.

Williams has urged Racing Victoria to take up to the Australia Federal Government the issue of shortening the period of time required in quarantine.

On the horses Craig Williams rode and watched over the past two months in Japan, he rates them extremely highly.

Last Sunday's Group One winner from Hanshin, Earnestly, looked to be an ideal Melbourne Cup horse but now his rating may elevate him to an unsuitable weight.

The other major threat to Japan horses coming to the Melbourne Spring, according to Williams, is the Breeders Cup in America.

The attraction of bonuses through the Breeders Series is a major incentive and it's so much easier to transport horses to the US.

Japan trainers also are keen to crack the European market, having never won the Arc de Triomphe.

Time will tell whether the Japanese come to Melbourne but, with Group One success for Craig Williams this trip, he's on the frontline to snap up any good ride.

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NOW to Saturday's action and trainer Jason McLachlan hopes to achieve something his famous father, Bruce, failed to do and win the Glasshouse on their home track at the Sunshine Coast.

Jason saddles up Phelan Ready but, with a wide barrier, recalled jockey Brad Rawiller faces a tough job.

Phelan Ready goes into the Glasshouse fresh again after a great run in the QTC Cup a month ago.

McLachlan feels the four week break is now the effective way of training Phelan Ready.

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ONE of the main threats to Phelan Ready is last year's Glasshouse winner, Woorim.

The Rob Heathcote stable was happy enough with the gallop of Woorim with a stablemate on Tuesday while jockey Damien Browne is confident the horse will be able to carry the 58.5 kilograms, which is an increase of 5.5 kilograms on last year's weight.

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AT Rosehill on Saturday, the Civic Stakes is the highlight.

Title is coming off a super win in the Takeover Target Stakes but the job won't be an easy. Onthelookout has become one of those horses you'd love to own.

Co-trainer Barbara Joseph has no concern backing up Onthelookout following a great run behind Little Surfer Girl and, if there's any further rain it will be a big bonus.

Anthony Cummings returns from holiday to watch Recoup De Fortune in the Civic and expects improvement on its run behind Title.

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Fist Of Fury returns for John O'Shea in race five at Rosehill on Saturday.

The leading trainer isn't overly confident of success having missed a crucial trial last week at Randwick.

O'Shea says Fist Of Fury's track gallops and one trial have been pleasing but he may feel the pinch late.

O'Shea also confirmed to me that rising three-year-old, Foxwedge, is less than a month away from trialling.

The San Domenico Stakes is expected to be his first-up run in the spring.