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 24^th 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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