Nobody got too rich on star stayer Americain but it was a racing pleasure to see the Frenchy toy with a small field to win the 2011 Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) at Sandown Hillside today.
Starting $1.50 with Luxbet, those taking the short odds never had a serious concern after jockey Gerald Mosse gave him just the one hit with the whip.
Aussie owners Kevin Bamford and Gerry Ryan will now nut out Americain’s future.
Americain will be trained in Australia and won’t be going back to Europe to race according to Bamford.
“We will talk about the options, including stud, the Ranvet, BMW, Hong Kong and Dubai but he probably won’t go back to Europe,” Bamford said.
“If he leaves Australia for a race he will certainly be coming back.
“I think there are a few people here today because of him and he didn’t let anyone down.”
Americain settled fourth in a field of five led by second favourite Mourayan.
The race quickened prior to the turn and surprisingly, race bolter Saptapadi $61 Luxbet gained a rails run and hit the front at the 500m.
Both Mourayan and Manighar came at him at 300m mark before Americain moved quickly into the race.
After a flat spot from the 400m to the 300m, Americain and Mosse picked up and won with plenty in hand.
Americain defeated Manighar by three quarters with Mourayan a head way third.
Americain’s minder Stephanie Nigge comfirmed she would stay in Australia with Americain.
“I was a bit worry beacuse there wasn’t a lot of pace in the race but the straight is long and he did it well at the end,” Nigge said.
Mosse, being kind to himself, blamed Americain’s fourth in the Melbourne Cup on the hard surface and big weight of 58kg.
“This horse is special for me, he made me famous in Australia, he has proven he has a serious quality,” Mosse said.
“Today he had a perfect weight and the ground was a bit softer.
“From the 400m to the 300m he had a flat spot, but I have to respect him.
“I showed him my whip and said you better go now or I am going to use it.
“He then turned his engine on, he came next to them and I knew the game was over.”
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| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | AMERICAIN (USA) | Alain de Royer Dupre | Gerald Mosse | 5 | 59kg | $1.55F | |
| 2 | 3 | MANIGHAR (FR) | Luca Cumani | Dwayne Dunn | 0.75L | 2 | 59kg | $13 |
| 3 | 2 | MOURAYAN (IRE) | Robert Hickmott | Hugh Bowman | 0.85L | 3 | 59kg | $4.80 |
| 4 | 4 | LAMASERY | David Vandyke | Brenton Avdulla | 4.85L | 4 | 59kg | $9 |
| 5 | 5 | SAPTAPADI (IRE) | Brian Ellison | Danny Nikolic | 6.6L | 1 | 59kg | $61 |
