Classy French stayer Americain has won the $225,000 Group 3 Geelong Cup (2406m) this afternoon, beating home a top field of stayers in one of the last lead-up runs for the 2010 Melbourne Cup.
The American bred six-year-old is prepared by one of Europe’s premier trainers Alain de Royer Dupre and was having his first run since August 28 where he took out the Kergorlay Stakes (3000m).
It was a stunning Australian race debut and ideal Melbourne Cup trial in the 2010 Geelong Cup for Americain.
Drawn ideally on the rails and after being caught up early, Americain ($10) settled well and let The Hombre take the lead.
Miles Above soon went to the front and set the pace while eventual third placegetter Exceptionally settled into sixth position.
Still in the lead with 700m to go, Miles Above was soon challenged with the likes of Macedonian, Moudre and Americain moving away from the rails and making their move on the outside.
Digging deep, Americain and international jockey Gerald Mosse knuckled down and pushed through to the front to beat odds-on favourite Moudre ($5.50) by a long head with Exceptionally ($6.50) a further half length away third.
It was a gallant run for the Ciaron Maher-trained Moudre who ran on the extreme outside to finish second, however the gelding must now run and win a race such as the Lexus Stakes on Victoria Derby Day to get into the Melbourne Cup.
Already assured of a spot in the 24-horse Melbourne Cup field on the first Tuesday of November sitting 24th on the order of entry, Americain is sure to shorten dramatically in the Melbourne Cup odds following today’s win.
Today in the Geelong Cup Americain carried a hefty 58kg to victory, and ensuring he doesn’t receive a penalty from Racing Victoria’s chief handicapper Greg Carpenter, will drop back to 54kg for the Melbourne Cup further improving his chances.
Americain has now won his last four races consecutively boosting his career record to seven victories from 19 starts, and will be the first Melbourne Cup runner for owner Gerald Ryan.
The updated Melbourne Cup betting odds after the Geelong Cup results will be released at [sportsbet] shortly, so take the time now to sign up and get ready to back your selections at the best price!
2010 Geelong Cup Results & Finishing Order
| Finish | No. | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1 | AMERICAIN(1) | Gerald Mosse | Alain de Royer Dupre | 58.0 | 2-30.35 |
| 2nd | 5 | MOUDRE(10) | Craig Williams | Ciaron Maher | 54.5 | 0.2L |
| 3rd | 9 | EXCEPTIONALLY(3) | Danny Nikolic | Terry & Karina O’Sullivan | 53.5 | 0.7L |
| 4th | 10 | MR CHARLIE(2) | Luke Nolen | Peter G Moody | 53.0 | 1.2L |
| 5th | 13 | MACEDONIAN(4) | Dwayne Dunn | Peter G Moody | 53.0 | 1.3L |
| 6th | 8 | COUNT ENCOSTA(13) | Craig Newitt | John P Thompson | 53.0 | 1.6L |
| 7th | 15 | SAINT ENCOSTA(8) | James Winks | John P Thompson | 53.5 | 2.4L |
| 8th | 4 | ONCE WERE WILD(5) | Nash Rawiller | Gai Waterhouse | 55.0 | 3.4L |
| 9th | 7 | APPREHEND(6) | Jason Maskiell | Tony Vasil | 53.0 | 5.4L |
| 10th | 11 | THE HOMBRE(7) | Mark Du Plessis | John Bary | 53.0 | 6.1L |
| 11th | 2 | DRUNKEN SAILOR(9) | Brett Prebble | Luca Cumani | 57.0 | 6.6L |
| 12th | 14 | GALLANT LADY(11) | Blake Shinn | Lee Freedman | 53.0 | 7.6L |
| 13th | 3 | NO WINE NO SONG(14) | Jim Cassidy | Kevin Moses | 57.0 | 8.4L |
| 14th | 12 | MILES ABOVE(12) | Glen Boss | Denis Daffy | 53.0 | 10.1L |
| 15th | 6 | KERDEM(15) | Michelle Payne | Patrick Payne | 53.0 | 10.2L |
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