The David Hayes trained Americain had a trip to Rosehill on Tuesday giving both race-day jockey Gerard Mosse and the 2010 Group 1 Melbourne Cup winner an opportunity to acquaint themselves with the track before the $2.25m Group 1 BMW on Saturday.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Americain had galloped on Saturday so the idea was to allow jockey and horse to work at Rosehill, although Mosse said he was not out for time they were clocked at 24s over the final 400m.
Mosse only arrived in Sydney on Monday evening after riding Kasbah Bliss at the Dubai World Cup meeting. It is the international winning jockey's first time riding in Sydney.
He last rode Americain to a facile win in the Group 2 Sandown Classic (2400m) on November 12, with the seven-year-old Dynaformer entire resuming under the care of Hayes for a third in the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington last month.
“I have not seen the horse for a couple of months,” Mosse said.
“He is feeling great, looking great and his action is great.
“He was looking around because he doesn't know Rosehill, like me. Both of us were looking around, but he did his job like a real gentleman, he did his job perfectly.
“When I ask him for something he just answers. The trainer asked me to give him an easy gallop for him to see and feel the track and to be comfortable.
“He is coming back to his peak form, the track was a little bit dead and he showed it. He was happy with the track, but it is a different surface from Flemington. He is not used to running on such a surface.
“It is a great atmosphere to be here. It is my first time in Sydney. I would like to get some more rides for Saturday. I have now this morning ridden on the track and maybe walk it this week, but it is more fun having a ride than sitting in the jockeys' room.
“The track is a bit up and down, but he just needs to learn how to put his feet on the ground and how to accelerate, but he is a professional and he will adapt. He won going right-handed in the Prix Kergolay and in Chantilly, so the direction is no problem.
“I am not crazy to go three miles. I think a mile and half suits him. His best distance is 2400m, and he has not won over 2000m before. I have no problem competing against Manighar. He is a bit quick for us over 2000m but over 2400m we will be there.”
To place emphasis on the rivalry with the Peter Moody trained Manighar the grey went past when Mosse was discussing the morning work and he was quick to point out that he had also won on the six-year-old.
That was back in October 2009 in the Group 2 Qatar Prix Chaudenay over 3015m at Longchamp. Both horses and rider will be a long way from Longchamp when they line up on Saturday.
