Americain's assault on Emirates Melbourne Cup favouritism strengthened after the popular French stayer fared slightly better than arch rival Dunaden at tonight's barrier draw.The 2010 winner tightened into $5 favouritism for the $6 million event after drawing barrier 12.Co-owner Gerry Ryan was happy with that gate for the Alain de Royer-Dupre-trained eight-year-old, who will be ridden by Damien Oliver, and while respectful of the opposition is confident he can become the first dual winner in non

Americain's assault on Emirates Melbourne Cup favouritism strengthened after the popular French stayer fared slightly better than arch rival Dunaden at tonight's barrier draw.

The 2010 winner tightened into $5 favouritism for the $6 million event after drawing barrier 12.

Co-owner Gerry Ryan was happy with that gate for the Alain de Royer-Dupre-trained eight-year-old, who will be ridden by Damien Oliver, and while respectful of the opposition is confident he can become the first dual winner in non-consecutive years since Peter Pan in 1932/34.

"We're happy," Ryan said after draw in the VRC committeeroom. "The horse is in great condition, Stephanie (Nigge, assistant trainer) is the most relaxed I've seen, she said it's the most confident she's been, so we're going to be very competitive.

"We might be favourite with the bookies but there's a lot of competition and just hopeful we've got the best horse on the day."

Americain will start four slots closer to the fence than the Mikel Delzangles-trained Dunaden, whose quest for back-to-back wins will be carried out from gate 16.

The seven-year-old won the Caulfield Cup from the outside barrier in the 18-horse field, so owner Sheikh Fahad Al Thani remains confident Craig Williams can pull off another win.

"Perfect," he said when asked his thoughts on the barrier. "I'm sure Craig will find a way to slot him in. I'm very happy with it.

"I feel the horse is a champion, he has a champion jockey on him and I wouldn't swap him for another horse (in the race)."

Dunaden occupies the $7 second line in betting with Mount Athos ($8.50) next in line after coming up with gate eight.

Trainer Luca Cumani, who also has My Quest For Peace (Corey Brown, barrier one) engaged, was thrilled with the alley for Mount Athos, who will be ridden by Ryan Moore.

"That barrier is very good, I'm very pleased with that," Cumani said. "I think we got a bit of luck with that and that will give Ryan plenty of options.

"I'm a little bit less happy (with My Quest For Peace). One could make things a little bit tight for Corey, but it's still better than 20-plus."

Among the other winners from the draw were Macedon Lodge, who drew barrier three with Mourayan and five with Green Moon.

Godolphin's lone hope Cavalryman drew barrier six, Gai Waterhouse-trained pair Fiorente and Glencadam Gold landed gates two and seven respectively, the Dermot Weld-trained Galileo's Choice will start from 11, one spot wider than Lexus Stakes winner Kelinni.

Bart Cummings and Team Hawkes had contrasting results with their two runners; Sanagas and Precedence drew gates four and 20 respectively for Cummings, while Maluckyday will start from nine with his Hawkes-trained stablemate Niwot to begin from 15.

Last year's runner-up Red Cadeaux will begin from gate 18, lightly-raced Aussie hope Ethiopia has barrier 14, while Zabeelionaire had the misfortune of drawing the outside alley. (www.racingvictoria.net.au)