The gelding went on to win six of his first seven starts in Tasmania including the Hobart Cup.

Brunton will unveil another Kiwi import with a similar name at Mowbray on Wednesday night but has warned punters to tread warily.

Earl Da Vinci, raced by the same owners as Count Da Vinci, is topweight for Class 1 Handicap over 1420 metres.

Like ‘The Count’, his only win in New Zealand was in a maiden.

His overall form was very consistent but, in 11 starts, he never raced at less than 1600m.

“His work suggests he is very one-paced,” Brunton told his Twitter followers.

“So I’m not sure drawing inside (barrier 2) will suit him.

“ I’m just hoping.”

In contrast, Brunton’s other runner in the same race, Mansplaining, has drawn wide and he thinks that may be an advantage.

“By that stage of the night I think it will give him every opportunity to be in the finish,” the trainer said.

Brunton has expressed more confidence in his chances in two other races with By The Pound and Life On The Wire.

“By The Pound is a smart animal and with the pace outside from the Trinder stable (Nielson) I expect him to get a nice run and be very competitive,” the trainer said.

“Life On The Wire is first-up on a heavy track which is my main concern but she is very smart and with even luck can be in the finish.”

The Tasmanian Government has announced the appointment of Reid Sanders as general manager of the Office of Racing Integrity.

The position has been vacant since Tony Murray resigned 12 months ago, with several people filling in on a temporary basis.

Racing Minister Jeremy Rockliff said that Mr Sanders would bring “outstanding knowledge and experience to the role.”

Mr Sanders has held senior racing positions in Australia and New Zealand for the past two decades.

He was recently chief operating officer for Harness Racing New South Wales after a period as the director of racing and chief steward in Macau.

The appointment is for five years and Mr Sanders starts on Monday.