The French have claimed the Group Three Geelong Cup for the second consecutive year with Dunaden sweeping to an emphatic victory on Wednesday.
It follows the win last year by Americain, who went on to become the first French-trained horse to win the Melbourne Cup.
Dunaden winning the Centrebet Geelong Cup (Group 3) at Geelong - photo by Steven Dowden
Fresh from his Caulfield Cup victory aboard Southern Speed, jockey Craig Williams settled Dunaden third last early before tracking forward coming to the corner.
The six-year-old finished strongly down the outside and was a class above favourite Tanby with 2008 Geelong Cup winner Bauer flashing home late for an eye-catching third.
Williams said he was keen to stick with the French raider in the Melbourne Cup, which is set to have a record number of international runners this year.
And while questioning the depth of Wednesday’s Geelong Cup (2400m) field, Williams pointed out Dunaden would be better suited over the 3200-metre Cup trip.
“His best distance is 3000 metres and above so he’s going good,” Williams said.
“He won. That’s all we had to do.”
AAP TURF
