Updated
Leading jockey Damien Oliver has jumped aboard French stayer Americain for the first time ahead of next Tuesday's Melbourne Cup.
Oliver was chosen to ride Americain last week after the horse's owners sacked French rider Gerald Mosse in favour of a top local hoop.
Oliver had been out of favour in some quarters after betting allegations surfaced against him, leading to the loss of rides in the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate.
But his booking for Americain has seen the 2010 Cup winner heavily backed into favouritism for the $6.2 million race.
Oliver, a two-time Cup winner, says he was impressed with Americain's work at Werribee this morning.
"He's in great form. I was really pleased with him, he's really bright," he said.
"He's actually more imposing on him than he is watching him from afar.
"He's an amazing horse, obviously a Melbourne Cup winner, and he's in great condition and it's a great opportunity."
Oliver said the best part of Americain's 2,000-metre workout, in which he ran home his final 600m in 35.7s, was his last 200 metres as he reeled in stable-mate Shahwardi.
He said Americain's fourth in the Caulfield Cup was an ideal run heading into next Tuesday.
"I thought his Caulfield Cup run was terrific and it is probably not the ideal track for him," Oliver said.
"He's a great two miler and getting to Flemington on the bigger track is going to be his biggest asset."
Dunaden respect
Despite having to carry 59 kilograms, Oliver believes Dunaden is the horse to beat.
Dunaden's rider, Craig Williams, has a similar respect for Americain.
Williams also put Dunaden, the 2011 Cup winner, through his paces at Werribee and says the horse is in top form.
"As his last major piece of work before the Melbourne Cup, I couldn't be happier," he said.
"The way he felt, the way he let down over the last 600 metres, and more importantly the way he extended and recovered, he's right on target."
But Williams said he was wary of Americain, which he described as a solid two-miler who would not lose anything with the appointment of Oliver.
"I don't want to take anything away from Gerald Mosse, he's a great international jockey, but Damien Oliver is riding in super form," Williams said.
"Americain is one of our main rivals, so no doubt they will be a strong combination."
Weight no problem
Dunaden's trainer, Frenchman Mikel Delzangles, flew into Melbourne overnight to oversee the workout.
Afterwards he was soon on a plane to the United States for the Breeders' Cup meeting this weekend.
Delzangles admitted Dunaden would have to run very well to win the Cup with 59 kilograms, but he feels the horse has improved in the past 12 months.
"He is definitely better than last year, but he has to be 4kg better," he said.
While facts and figures say Dunaden faces an uphill task to win the Cup again under 59kg, Williams is having none of the argument.
"Realistically he deserved a kilo (penalty) for what he did (at Caulfield), but my feeling is that weight will not stop him," he said.
"I know mathematicians and history will say it will, but my feeling is that the most important thing is that with luck in running, I'm very confident he can win with that weight."
Topics: horse-racing, sport, werribee-3030, flemington-3031, vic, australia
First posted
No comments:
Post a Comment