Trainer Martin McInerney spent part of 2012 scouting for thoroughbred talent in Europe and South America.

His search turned up Punch Your Weight, a four-year-old Irish gelding who will make his Australian debut at Warwick Farm on Saturday.

The winner of his only two starts in Ireland, Punch Your Weight will line up in the TAB.com.au Handicap (1400m).

"It was his toughness that impressed me most and although he was green his performances were very impressive," McInerney told AAP.

"While in Ireland he stepped up from a maiden into an open and won both of them."

Australia's strict quarantine laws mean that Punch Your Weight has only been at his new Hawkesbury base for a matter of months.

Like many imports he appears to have adjusted to his new home with a minimum of fuss.

"He has settled in magnificently...hasn't left one grain of food untouched. He's improved since the barrier trial, and we think there's a lot of improvement left in him," McInerney said.

While he's not expecting the four-year-old to win on Saturday, McInerney expressed his excitement at getting a guide to his capabilities.

"The plan is to see how he goes, race him again in a couple of weeks and maybe build him up for races in Sydney and Brisbane later.

"If not, then we will get him out again next year. We're in no hurry. As always it is best to let the horse tell us where he's at."

McInerney has only been a trainer for six months but a background in showjumping and a passion for horses has prepared him well for his foray into one of the industry's most demanding jobs.

"I've been very lucky working with a fantastic owner," he said.

"We're a work in progress. At the moment we've got a dozen horses in the stable.

"Our plan is to build up to 20 horses and have 12 running all the time with Punch Your Weight hopefully carrying the flag."