American-bred and French-trained galloper Americain has earned a trip to Australia for the 2010 Melbourne Cup following their classy win in the Group 2 Prix Kergorlay (3000m) over the weekend.

Six-year-old Americain, trained by Alain de Royer Dupre, enjoyed a narrow victory in the Prix Kergorlay at Deauville on Sunday when the son of Dynaformer held off a gallant late challenge from Luca Cumani’s Manighar.

Americain has now won six of their 17 career starts, emerging as a genuine Cups contender having already won over 3,100m.

French trainer Royer-Dupre has won many prestigious Group 1 events throughout his career in France, Great Britain, Hong Kong, America and Ireland including the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe twice, but is yet to taste success in Australia.

Both Americain and Manighar are among the large list of impressive internationally-trained nominations for the 150^th Melbourne Cup to be held as Race 7 at Flemington on Tuesday November 2, and are due to enter quarantine following their performance in the Prix Kergorlay.

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Currently [sportsbet] has Americain at $101 to win the $6 million feature while Manighar is paying $51.

Leading the overseas contingent for the 2010 Melbourne Cup is Japan’s Meiner Kitz at $17.

Manighar’s trainer Luca Cumani has four of his other stable stars entered for the 2010 Melbourne Cup including 2008 and 2007 Melbourne Cup second placegetters Bauer and Purple Moon paying $51 and $41 respectively through [sportsbet].

With just over two months to go before the 2010 Melbourne Cup takes place as the showcase event of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, now is the best time to lock in generous odds on your favourites through [sportsbet].