The American-bred, French-trained and Australian-owned stayer Americain will be looking to capitalise on the good record of internationals who run in the Geelong Cup.Americain became the third internationally trained winner of the Geelong Cup in the last eight years.
He followed Media Puzzle (2002) and Bauer (2008).
The Geelong Cup has become an important leadup to the Melbourne Cup for international raiders, particularly in the last three years.
Before this year’s running, the Geelong Cup had featured four internationals – Media Puzzle, Bauer, Crime Scene (6th in 2009) and Basaltico (7th in 2009).
Media Puzzle was the only one to go on and win at Flemington, but both Bauer and Crime Scene ran honourable seconds.
Basaltico was 18th.
While not winning nearly as dominantly as Media Puzzle or Bauer, his win was made all the more impressive by the fact that he carried topweight of 58kg.
It was the highest winning weight carried since dual Australian Cup winner Craftsman won in 1966.
He has already been brought into $11 for the Melbourne Cup by TAB Sportsbet, and further support is likely.
Chief RVL handicapper Greg Carpenter will announce any penalty for Americain this afternoon.
Also running yesterday was the Luca Cumani-trained Drunken Sailor.
Heavily backed, he loomed to win but faded to finish 11th.
He pulled up with a blood soaked hoof, and the race is now on to get him fit for Flemington.
He also faces a battle to make the field, as he currently sits 34th in the order.
However, with Sans Frontieres, Zabrasive, Doctor Fremantle and Vigor out, he currently is 30th in the order – still six places short of where he needs to be.
Furthermore, the Moonee Valley Cup winner, the Lexus Stakes winner and the Mackinnon Stakes winner could all leapfrog him in the coming weeks.
As well, So You Think just needs to place on Saturday to be guaranteed a run.
Therefore, they need to rely on a high attrition rate above them to ensure a start.
The picture will become clearer following third declarations next Monday.
Written by Andrew Hawkins
