KEY POINTS:
LOS ANGELES - Australian trainer David Hayes is eyeing some of the US' premier races after Anamato's third at Hollywood Park yesterday.
Anamato was positioned perfectly heading into the final straight in the US$750,000 ($971,000) American Oaks Invitational, but was unable to negotiate the tight home turn.
US horses claimed the top two positions, with Panty Raid first and local runner Valbenny second.
Hayes, who oversees some of Australia's best horses, was not disappointed with his first assault on American racing with Anamato.
"I think she showed everyone our horses can be competitive here and hopefully if I have another good one I'll come back," Hayes said.
"She was the first foreigner home."
The American Oaks was run on turf and attracted entrants from Japan, Ireland and France.
American punters plunged on Anamato in the hour leading up to the race and she firmed from 8-1 to start 7-2 second favourite. Valbenny was the 3-1 favourite with Panty Raid at 5-1.
Anamato was fifth at the final bend.
"I thought coming to the 600m she was the winner, but just on the home turn she laid out instead of laying in. She took the first third of the straight to find her stride," said Hayes.
Michael Rodd, who had ridden Anamato three times for two wins in Australia, was impressed with the horse's effort.
"She's a class filly and showed it today," Rodd said. "We're tickled pink with the way she ran."
Hayes, who had a successful 10-year stint in Hong Kong and won the Japan Cup in 1990 with Better Loosen Up, is keen to return to the US for a second shot at the American Oaks.
He also fancied Anamato's chances at Hollywood Park's CashCall Mile, a US$1 million race for fillies and mares.
Hayes also said he had his eye on a collection of races held at the Del Mar track near San Diego.
Anamato flew from Australia to Los Angeles on June 17 and did not eat well for the first 10 days, leaving Hayes with an uphill battle to have her set for yesterday's race.
"She did have that 10 days when I couldn't really work her because she wasn't eating," Hayes said.
"So she was presented a little bit lighter than what I would have liked."
- AAP
