It may be more than eight months away, but the 2011 Melbourne Cup has already had its first boost with confirmation that last year’s winner Americain will return to contest the race.
The French-trained, American-bred, Australian-owned galloper couldn’t have been more impressive when he surged past Maluckyday and So You Think to win the Melbourne Cup by a widening two and three quarter lengths.
Part owner Gerry Ryan told the Herald Sun that plans for the galloper were to be confirmed this week.
Last year, Americain won four straight races in France before coming across for wins in the Geelong Cup and Melbourne Cup.
It is likely that trainer Alain de Royer Dupre will follow a similar path, with four runs in France before coming out for the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup.
Alternatively, he could run in one of the world’s greatest races, the Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe (2400m), but strict quarantine measures may mean that it is impossible.
Ryan is excited about the prospects of back to back Cup wins.
“Apparently he looks a million dollars, so here we come again,” Ryan told the Herald Sun.
“We’ve got the taste for it now.”
The Melbourne Cup will be run on November 1 this year.
Written by Andrew Hawkins
