Racing: Americain still in Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate

Americain wins the Emirates Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse. Photo / Getty Images

Trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre has kept his options open with reigning Melbourne Cup winner Americain by paying up for him as a second acceptor in both the Caulfield Cup and the Cox Plate.

Americain was among the 80 second declarations yesterday for the Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 15 and the 59 horses left in the Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley a week later.

Kiwi co-trainers Graeme and Debbie Rogerson made their intentions known with Scarlett Lady who remains in Caulfield Cup contention but is no longer in the Cox Plate.

The Greg Eurell-trained Pinker Pinker and the Grahame Begg-prepared Secret Admirer are both still in the Cox Plate but have dropped out of the Caulfield Cup.

There are six 3-year-olds left in the Cox Plate, including highly rated colts, the Anthony Cummings-trained Smart Missile and Helmet from the Peter Snowden yard.

Sabrage, Zabeelionaire, Dowager Queen and Pane In The Glass are the other 3-year-olds still in the Cox Plate.

All of those most prominent in Cox Plate markets remain, including Whobegotyou and boom Hastings 4-year-old Jimmy Choux, who are $7 equal favourites with TAB Sportsbet.

Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes winner Rekindled Interest ($9) and last Saturday's group one winners Sincero ($12) and Lion Tamer ($14) are all there.

Among the best-performed omissions were top Sydney miler Ilovethiscity, injured dual group one winner Heart Of Dreams and now-retired last-start Makybe Diva Stakes winner Littorio.

Naturalism Stakes winner December Draw is $4 Caulfield Cup favourite ahead of Scarlett Lady at $7 and the Lloyd Williams-owned pair At First Sight ($10) and Midas Touch ($11).

The picture for the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate will become even clearer when third declarations are taken on October 4.

* In other news, Golden Slipper winner Sepoy smashed the clock in a sizzling trial at Cranbourne, southeast of Melbourne, on Monday.

It was all part of trainer Peter Snowden's plan to tighten the screws on the colt for Friday week's 1200m Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley, where Sepoy will venture for the first time into open company.

Mindful of how Sepoy's condition sneaked away on him in the autumn between the Blue Diamond and Todman Stakes, in which he suffered his only defeat, Snowden is leaving nothing to chance.

Sepoy, with Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle, took 44.90sec in winning his 800m trial, the only horse to break 46sec in 11 trials over the distance.

It's rare for a horse to break 46sec, let alone 45sec at Cranbourne. No one was more surprised than Snowden.

"They didn't look to be going that quick. It was a scintillating time," Snowden told the Herald Sun.

"I was really happy with the trial and he pulled up well."

Already, Snowden has taken Sepoy to Moonee Valley on a recognisance visit and the colt will be back at the track next week.

Snowden is not underestimating the challenge of the Manikato. "Don't worry, I'm treating this as a big step for him. It's his first crack at open company."

- AAP