Much-travelled Americain has settled back into the routine of trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre at Chantilly ahead of another journey to Australia for the Melbourne Cup.
The winner of the 2010 Cup, Americain finished fourth behind another French horse, Dunaden, last year and the decision was made to leave him in Australia.
David Hayes was chosen to prepare him for the autumn but after a winless three-start Group One campaign, Americain’s Australian owners decided to send him back to France.
Under Hayes, the horse finished third in the Australian Cup, second in the BMW and sixth in the Queen Elizabeth.
“He looks well. He has been here for two weeks and looks happy to come back,” de Royer-Dupre told Sydney’s Sky Sports Radio.
“He went well in Australia. Maybe the last race was not the best but it is impossible to win all the races.”
The trainer said Americain would have two starts before the Melbourne Cup, one in France and most likely the Geelong Cup which he won in 2010.
“I need just one race for him in Deauville at the end of August before he goes to Newmarket for quarantine,” de Royer-Dupre said.
“He will have one race in Australia before the Cup.
“We might do what we did before he won.”
The French trainer admitted it would be a feat to get another Melbourne Cup with Americain who carried 54.5kg when he won in 2010 and 58kg last year.
“It is a big challenge but I’m going to try,” he said.
“He will have to carry the same weight as last year but he is a strong horse physically and can carry a big weight.”
Dunaden and 2011 Melbourne Cup runner-up Red Cadeaux are set to clash in Saturday’s Group Two Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Trainer Mikel Delzangles has hinted Dunaden may not return to Australia but Ed Dunlop is keen to give Red Cadeaux another chance in the Cup.