High profile Hong Kong Jockey Club Chief Executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges is a step closer to securing Australia’s most prized race, the $6.2m Emirates Melbourne Cup...

High profile Hong Kong Jockey Club Chief Executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges is a step closer to securing Australia’s most prized race, the $6.2m Emirates Melbourne Cup, following the weekend’s international feature racing, reports Racing Victoria.

Engelbrecht-Bresges is the owner of untapped French stayer Now We Can, who passed the Melbourne Cup ballot with a victory in the Group 2 Grand Prix De Chantilly (2400m) at Chantilly, France, overnight.

Trainer Nicolas Clement was delighted with the performance and told French media post race that he was keen to “discover Australia” with his promising four-year-old entire.

The UK-bred Now We Can has now won his past five starts with his only career defeat coming at his debut 12 months ago on very soft ground over 1600 metres.

With jockey Thierry Thulliez settling in a wide position tracking the early speed, there were some nervous moments for Now We Can, the $3 favourite after he appeared to be in trouble at the top of the home straight.

Hitting the front with 100 metres left to travel, he fought strongly to hold off Haya Landa ($17) and Remus De La Tour ($23) in a thrilling finish.

Speaking to www.racingvictoria.net.au in late April, Englebrecht-Bresges said it was an ambition of his to win the Melbourne Cup with the four-year-old.

“There's a lot of water still to flow under the bridge but he just might get to Melbourne,” Englebrect Bresges said at the time.

“We mated his dam with a son of Anabaa (Martillo) to inject some speed and now we have a horse who can stay but also quicken.

“His temperament is bomb proof and we hope he can keep on improving.”

Melbourne-owned Only A Pleasure, who is headed towards the Spring Racing Carnival, could only manage seventh position in the Group 2 feature – his first start for 2013 – but OTI Racing Director Terry Henderson said the horse will push on towards Melbourne regardless.