Damien Oliver says he nearly drove off the road on the way home from Ballarat races last week, after taking a call that sees him replacing Gerald Mosse as the jockey for Americain in next week's Emirates Melbourne Cup.Americain's part-owner Gerry Ryan, who was at the TAB International Horse Centre at Werribee to watch Americain work with Oliver in the saddle today, explained the rationale for changing riders on the 2010 Emirates Melbourne Cup winner.Ryan said he and part-owner Kevin Bamford had

Damien Oliver says he nearly drove off the road on the way home from Ballarat races last week, after taking a call that sees him replacing Gerald Mosse as the jockey for Americain in next week's Emirates Melbourne Cup.

Americain's part-owner Gerry Ryan, who was at the TAB International Horse Centre at Werribee to watch Americain work with Oliver in the saddle today, explained the rationale for changing riders on the 2010 Emirates Melbourne Cup winner.

Ryan said he and part-owner Kevin Bamford had discussed the Melbourne Cup ride after the Caulfield Cup and after further discussions with Americain's trainer Alain de Royer Dupre, they had decided on a change.

''We felt we needed an Australian jockey and there is none better than Damien Oliver.''

''You can't win (the Melbourne Cup) with 58 (kilograms) running three wide,'' Ryan said.

After riding Americain for the first time this morning, Oliver said that despite always having a high regard for Americain, he was even more impressed after being on his back.

''He was really bright. He's more imposing being on him than from afar. I was really taken by his athleticism. He was really light on his feet and has great acceleration,'' Oliver said.

Oliver said that the best part of Americain's 2000 metre workout, where he ran home his final 600 metres in 35.7 seconds was his last 200 metres as he reeled in stablemate Shahwardi.

After a great run in the BMW Caulfield Cup - where he finished strongly, he believes the eight-year-old is going to be particularly well suited by getting back to Flemington next week over the 3200 metre journey.

''I thought his Caulfield Cup run was terrific and it is probably not the ideal track for him," Oliver said.

''He's a great two miler and getting to Flemington on the bigger track is going to be his biggest asset.''

Despite having to carry 59 kilograms, Oliver believes Dunaden is the horse to beat, although there are plenty of other chances.

''I respect Dunaden a lot and the horses that run well in the Caulfield Cup usually run very well at Flemington," he said.

"You also have to respect those internationals that did not run in the Caulfield Cup as well,'' he said in reference to Mount Athos, Galileo's Choice and Red Cadeaux in particular.

Gai Waterhouse was also back at Werribee this morning and was more than satisfied with her Melbourne Cup acquisition, English stayer Fiorente, which worked over 1600 metres.

''That was good work. He had to carry plenty of weight. I couldn't be happier with him,'' Waterhouse said.

Waterhouse's other Melbourne Cup horse Glencadam Gold, which has been under an injury cloud, was again take to Altona beach for a swim, but the trainer was confident he would be lining up next Tuesday.

''I'm not running him on Saturday (in the Lexus Stakes). He went to the beach today.''

''I think so, I think so,'' said Waterhouse when asked if Glencadam Gold would run in the Melbourne Cup.

''He's a nice big strong horse and we'll know in the next two days. I'm keeping the work up to him, I can tell you.''

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