Leading Western Australian owner Bob Peters will be bringing home Western Empire along with stablemates Regal Power and Stageman after the Danny O’Brien-trained trio failed to fire at Flemington on Saturday.

“The way they are running, I thought they were entitled to improve on their first starts over there but they went backwards,” Peters told The West Australian.

“We’ll get them back to the farm and have a look at them but they were disappointing. The only decision I’ve made with them is that they are flying home early next week.”

The winner of last year’s Gr.1 Railway Stakes (1600m) for Grant and Alana Williams, Western Empire finished fifth of eight in the Gr.1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m), more than six lengths from the winner I’m Thunderstruck.

By former Haunui Farm shuttle stallion Iffraaj, Western Empire is out of Gr.2 Perth Cup (2400m) winner Western Jewel (Jeune), whom Peters raced.