News

Americain wins Melbourne Cup

3rd Nov 2010

Herald Sun - Michael Manley - Tuesday, 2 November 2010

AMERICAIN has stormed to victory in a French triumph in the 150th running of the Melbourne Cup.

The Geelong Cup winner was perfectly ridden by the Hong Kong-based French jockey Gerald Mosse, who came with a perfectly timed run to defeat Maluckyday and So You Think.

Zipping finished fourth for the third time. Harris Tweed was fifth. Zavite finished last.

So You Think looked set to win half way up the straight but died on his run.

Americain was bought by Melbourne businessman Gerry Ryan and Kevin Bamford earlier this year with the Melbourne Cup their aim.

They decided to leave the horse in the care of his French trainer Alain de Royer Dupre who prepared him at Chantilly.

Mosse said the win gave him the most special feeling he has had as a jockey.

"I am excited but I also feel like crying. It's an experience I've never had before and it's very special. It's hard to describe just how I am feeling,'' Mosse said.

"My timing is perfect, my horse come in strong and I'm going to catch the one in front,’’ he told Channel 7.

"But until the winning post I never think about enjoyment or anything.

"I am here to win the race and that's what I did with the best horse.’’

Mosse thanked the owners for sticking with him.

"I had ridden him in France and then he won the Geelong Cup. I could feel him getting stronger and stronger all the time,'' Mosse said.

Mosse, who has been the Aga Khan's jockey, has ridden mainly in Hong Kong for the past decade.

He rode a double at Happy Valley on Sunday night before heading to Melbourne where he walked the track with connections on Monday afternoon.

Dupre thanked the Australian owners for leaving the horse with him after they had purchased him.

Americain has won his past five starts including the Geelong Cup at his only previous Australian run.

Americain has now followed in the footsteps of Media Puzzle another import who won the Geelong Cup and the Melbourne Cup.

In the closing stages Americain cleared away from his rivals to win by two and three quarter lengths from Maluckyday with So You Think a half length away third.