KEY POINTS:
LOS ANGELES: An impressive morning workout by Australian filly Anamato buoyed trainer David Hayes ahead of this weekend's historic American Oaks Invitational (2000m).
Anamato is Australia's sole representative in an international field of United States, British, French and Japanese horses for the US$750,000 ($973,270) group one race at the famed Hollywood Park track.
Hayes said Anamato had been off her food since arriving almost three weeks ago and yesterday was about 7kg below her Australian racing weight.
"She's on her feed now," Hayes said. "Her food intake has lifted the last six days so hopefully that's enough time to be in form on Saturday (tomorrow, NZT)."
Hayes and Anamato's jockey, Michael Rodd, said yesterday's session was her best since landing in the US.
"She worked over seven furlongs running 14sec per furlong and she increased her last furlong to 13sec and I didn't want her to do anymore," Hayes said.
"A horse went past her and the jockey reported she wanted to go with him.
"But, we're going to save it for the race. It's a very good sign."
If Anamato, the winner of the Australasian Oaks on April 21, is victorious she will be the first Australian trained horse to win a group one race in North America since New Zealand's Phar Lap won the Agua Caliente Handicap in Mexico in 1932.
- AAP
