Americain could still miss the Caulfield Cup because of a possible hard track predicted for Saturday's meeting. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun
Gerald Mosse has concerns about the hardness of the Caulfield track. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun
CHAMPION French jockey Gerald Mosse has warned of a possible injury epidemic if the track is too hard for Saturday's BMW Caulfield Cup.
Mosse will ride Americain in the cup, but insists the 2010 Melbourne Cup winner will start at Caufield only if the track has sufficient give.
"To be honest, we are here to run," Mosse said after watching Stephanie Nigge put Americain through his paces at Werribee.
"If it (the track) is concrete because nobody put the water on the track and the ground is gonna be too hard, we're gonna have plenty of horses with injuries.
"I'm sure my boss (trainer Alain de Royer Dupre) doesn't want to hurt the horse and he's the one to take the decision.
"But I believe he will run if the ground is fair for everyone."
Mosse and Nigge will walk Caulfield tomorrow before conferring with de Royer Dupre.
Mosse's warning echoes Nigge's concerns over how Americain will cope with a hard surface.
Melbourne Racing Club track manager Jason Kerr plans to water the course today and tomorrow, hoping to produce a surface with plenty of cushion ahead of forecast warm weather.
Mosse said he was hoping for an "Australian style dead 4, dead 5" track.
The Frenchman was pleased with Americain's condition and unbothered by his barrier draw of 19.
"As usual, very well. I am quite pleased with him," Mosse said.
"He looks less stressed than when I saw him a couple of months ago.
"Of course, he will need the run."
Mosse said Americain's racing style meant a wide gate was largely irrelevant.
"With a horse like that, I really don't mind because we don't early speed to be handy and if I get an inside draw I probably get some crowd and problems," he said.
"So, on the other hand, I am not that unhappy to be out.
"The track is a bit tight for (a) big field, but we will to try to get out of trouble and to make my horse perform as best as he could for the preparation race.
"He's not gonna be at his best on Saturday, but he's gonna run well and I'm looking for him to improve after that and to be ready for the top day (Melbourne Cup day)."
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