Breeding & Racing Magazine

Americain 1st Gallop At Rosehill This Morning

Gr1 Melbourne Cup winner Americain (Dynaformer-America, by Arazi) makes his Sydney debut in Saturday's $2.25 million Gr1 The BMW & trainer David Hayes "is desperate for an inside barrier draw" reported The Daily Telegraph. Americain finished 3rd (behind Manighar & Southern Speed) in his 1st run for Hayes in the $1 million Gr1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington in Melbourne on March 10 & Hayes "feels it was his wide gate that was the difference between winning & losing", noting: "We had to go back further than we would have liked in the Australian Cup, 3 or 4 lengths, and then had to circle the field. Up to the mile & a half (2400m) he can settle a little closer, especially if we get a good draw. He doesn't have to go so far back in his races." Americain had a "solid hit-out on the course proper at Randwick on Saturday morning & will have his 1st look at Rosehill this morning with Hong Kong-based French jockey Gerald Mosse in the saddle". Hayes commented: "It is for the horse & jockey to get a feel of the track. I was very happy with his work on Saturday morning; he has been working the alternate way at home & he handled it perfectly at Randwick. He is probably better on his Melbourne leg (left-handed) but he has shown enough for me right-handed to suggest he will be fine."