Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, especially when the horse in question is 2010 Melbourne Cup winner Americain. Not that anyone need remind champion jockey Damien Oliver, who was faced with the prospect of watching the great race with the rest of us after the My Quest For Peace and Green Moon owners relieved Oliver of his Caulfield Cup, Melbourne Cup and Cox Plate commitments amid betting scandal allegations which are still under investigation.
Despite the ongoing inquiry, investigating accusations that Oliver bet $10,000 through a middle-man on a horse to win a race in which he had another mount, Oliver has maintained good form riding Group 1 Thousand Guineas winner Commanding Jewel to a commanding victory. After his first session on Americain, Oliver became more aware of what had just been dropped in his lap “It’s actually more imposing (being) on him than (watching) from afar,” he said. “He’s an amazing horse, obviously a Melbourne Cup winner. He’s in great condition. He’s in great form. It’s a great opportunity.”
Despite history counting against the 8-year-old, Peter Pan (1932-1934) is the only horse to win the race twice in non-consecutive years, Olivier is pretty keen on his chances. “I was really taken by his athleticism today,” Oliver said. “He’s really light on his feet and he’s got great acceleration. Through the line today was the best part of his work. Even after the line, he just wanted to keep going. As we know, he’s a great two-miler (3200m). When he gets to Flemington on a big track, that’s going to be his biggest asset.”
With the first of his two Melbourne Cup victories coming in 1995 on Doriemus, Oliver captured the hearts of the Australian racing community with his 2002 victory on Media Puzzle. The ride came just four days after the tragic death of Jason Oliver, his brother and fellow jockey, in a training accident. The emotionally charged victory, one of the Cup’s greatest, was a decade ago this year and Oliver acknowledges “it would be a nice anniversary.” Irrespective of the jockey, Americain was always going to receive plenty of love from the serious and casual punters alike on account of his good form and impressive history with his 2010 victory followed up with a 4th in last year’s race. The addition of one of Australia’s premier jockeys into the equation will only see him firm further as the race favorite.
Centrebet odds
AMERICAIN $6.00
Odds subject to change.
Keep in mind, if you have a bet with Centrebet on the Cup and run second to the favourite, they will refund your first losing bet.
via The Australian
Picture by Lucas Dawson/Getty Images
