Americain’s weight of expectation

ALAIN de Royer-Dupre’s main concern over Americain is the extra lead in his saddle as the French stayer returns to Flemington in the early hours of tomorrow morning seeking back-to-back Emirates Melbourne Cups.

The Australian racing community appear certain there will not be a home winner this time, such is the strength of the international raiding party, and Americain and his compatriot Dunaden are at the head of the betting market.

Royer-Dupre only arrived Down Under this weekend, but appeared impressed after inspecting the six-year-old at the quarantine stables in Werribee for what will be his last run for the trainer.

Americain, who was campaigned sparingly in France this season, has evidently thrived since his comeback victory in the Moonee Valley International Cup, and will remain in Australia to run before eventually retiring to stud.

“Honestly he looks better than last year,” Royer-Dupre said. “He has had fewer races this year, so he’s fresh. The draw (15) is not an excuse. The problem is the weight. He has three more kilogrammes over a long distance in a very competitive race.

“He needs to get a good position in the race, not too far back. Softer ground would be best, but it is perfect for him at the moment.”

Mikel Delzangles, who was Royer-Dupre’s assistant in Chantilly before taking out his own licence, goes head-to-head with his mentor through Dunaden, an easy winner of the Geelong Cup.

An apparently relaxed Delzangles still has a worry over his jockey, with Craig Williams needing to win an appeal over a careless riding ban today to take the mount. Christophe Lemaire will take over in that case. “Americain should be favourite but I’m very happy with my horse,” said Delzangles.

It is difficult to explain to the uninitiated about the level of interest in the Cup, with dozens of journalists and camera crews flocking to work mornings and press conferences, subjecting connections to an almost endless barrage of questions about their horses.

Ed Dunlop, another recent arrival to saddle Red Cadeaux, was rather taken aback at being surrounded by microphones. “It’s pretty immense!” said the Newmarket trainer. “My horse is in good form and he’s better weighted with Jukebox Jury on the form in the Prix Kergorlay [when fifth to the Mark Johnston-trained winner].”

Johnston also has Fox Hunt in the two-mile showpiece and hopes for better luck than with his much-loved stayer Double Trigger, a huge disappointment here in 1995. “Double Trigger was the wrong horse for the race,” he said. “I’m confident of a good run from Jukebox Jury. He’s beaten a few of the other candidates [Dunaden and Americain were ninth and tenth in the Kergorlay]. He’s clearly the class horse of my two, but he’s never run in a handicap before and I need to impress upon Neil Callan how fast they go.

“Fox Hunt won the German Leger but he has spent most of his time in handicaps and ran very well in the Ebor, which is as close a race as we have to this. It’s very difficult to choose between them.”

Luca Cumani felt his strongest fancy of his three possible runners was Bauer, but he lost out in the ballot on Saturday. The Italian, who has become fascinated with winning the Melbourne Cup after several very close shaves, is down to Manighar and Drunken Sailor. “It’s a shame Bauer could not get in. I don’t know if I’ve got a chance, as it’s proving quite difficult,” Cumani admitted.

Meanwhile, Nephrite upset the odds-on Born To Sea with a decisive win over Sea The Stars’ brother in the JRA Killavullan Stakes at Leopardstown yesterday.

In doing so, Nephrite boosted his Classic claims for 2012 and is now unbeaten in two starts.

Joseph O’Brien brought the Pivotal colt, trained by his father Aidan, through to pick off John Oxx’s youngster to go on to score by one and a half lengths. The bookmakers were impressed, with Ladbrokes putting Nephrite in at 10-1 for the Newmarket Classic while pushing out Born To Sea to 14-1 from 8s.