It will be Americain's last race for Royer-Dupre. Tomorrow will almost certainly be the last time he casts an eye over the magnificently built thoroughbred stallion he has developed into one of the world's greats.
Americain's Australian owners have made the decision to retain the horse in Victoria to be given to an as-yet-to-be-named local trainer then retired to stud Downunder.
To win a Melbourne Cup is every trainers' dream.
To win the great race back-to-back is a nightmare of tension, expectation and dare-to-dream.
Royer-Dupre handles it beautifully, underscored by a delightfully restrained impish sense of humour.
"When he [Americain] doesn't want to do something, he doesn't do it. It's not that he's nasty, he just makes up his own mind.
"If his decision doesn't match yours, it's a mistake in his mind.
"He reminds me of a lot of wives.
"This morning, my girl asked him to quicken in his trackwork. Instead of going faster, he slowed up," said Royer-Dupre at the international press conference at Werribee on Sunday.
There will be no slowing up this afternoon. If Americain wins the Melbourne Cup under 58kg it will be a monumental effort. That is 3.5kg more than he carried to win last year and weight is the critical factor in 3200m races at this level.
Sprinters can carry weight because over 1000m or 1200m they are carrying their burden at top speed for not much more than 60 seconds.
Over 3200m it is around 3:20. The old racing saying that weight will stop trains is way off the mark, but it will stop a thoroughbred, even an outstanding thoroughbred.
Royer-Dupre admits the 58kg is his biggest concern, far more than fellow French stayer Dunaden, who is second favourite behind Americain. Dunaden will carry 54.5kg, which to many who have seen him race in Europe is a gift weight.
"In France, 58kg compared to 54.5kg is the difference between group one class and group three class," says Royer Dupre.
"If Americain met Dunaden at level weights he would beat him."
Dunaden has beaten Americain on the two occasions they have met and Americain's European form this year is inferior to a year ago, but Royer-Dupre puts a different spin on it.
"He had no luck this last Northern Hemisphere summer. He is a better horse this year in Australia than last year.
"When he won the Geelong Cup last year before the Melbourne Cup it took him three days to relax back.
"After he won at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate Day he was relaxed the next day. I deliberately raced him sparingly before bringing him here this time. Last year he raced much more before coming to Australia. He is fresher this time."
Racing records are there to be broken, but a bit of trivia - no original topweight from when handicaps were first declared months out from the race has ended up winning the Melbourne Cup since Comic Court in 1951.
Royer-Dupre doesn't mention Americain's No 15 barrier draw in detail, but it is significant. If the stallion is to win today he will have to get over in front of the field and get a nice position in the first half of the field, which is not a given.
"We have a saying in France that you can give away weight, but you can't give away weight and a start to another good horse. His early position will decide where he finishes."
He hasn't lost sleep over it though: "That's the jockey's problem."
That jockey, Frenchman Gerald Mosse, is confident, even if a little concerned about the top weight. "He gave me a wonderful feel at Moonee Valley. I was greatly impressed by his acceleration. He is very well."
A significant factor is who Americain beat in last year's Cup. They were Maluckyday and So You Think, either of who could start favourite if they were running.
In a perfect world Royer-Dupre would like a slightly wet track and a pace that is not hectic.
Melbourne has thrown down regular showers since Friday.
Royer-Dupre - and a host of Australian and New Zealand followers - might just get their perfect world.
Sixty years is long enough for any record to stand. And who better to break it than a movie star?
Five punts
* Americain: Outstanding stayer with real class. The 58kg is a concern, but showed in winning at Moonee Valley that he thrives in Australia. Up to the tough task.
* Dunaden: Fellow French stayer who looked good winning the Geelong Cup. Has trained on beautifully. Plenty of confidence in the camp.
* Lucas Cranach: Impressive fifth in the Caulfield Cup in his Australian debut. Had setback going into that and has improved. Good-quality horse ready to spring a surprise.
* At first sight: Racing like a horse screaming out for 3200m. Good second in the Geelong Cup following a setback. Lightly weighted and will be running into it late.
* Illo: Best roughie. Has improved since arriving at Bart Cumming's stable from Europe. Eye-catching third to Americain in the Moonee Valley.
