Whatever it is about Australia that appeals to the Melbourne Cup favourite Americain, it seems to be catching.The horse who alerted France to Australia's favourite race by winning it last year is directly responsible for doubling the French representation in the 2011 Cup and for putting the race on French TV and in the nation's newspapers.And if he or his compatriot and second favourite Dunaden can win on Tuesday, an even stronger contingent of French runners is certain to arrive in Melbourne ne

Whatever it is about Australia that appeals to the Melbourne Cup favourite Americain, it seems to be catching.

The horse who alerted France to Australia's favourite race by winning it last year is directly responsible for doubling the French representation in the 2011 Cup and for putting the race on French TV and in the nation's newspapers.

And if he or his compatriot and second favourite Dunaden can win on Tuesday, an even stronger contingent of French runners is certain to arrive in Melbourne next year.

"It is very difficult in France to race for big money like in Australia," said Dunaden's trainer Mikel Delzangles.

"Before Americain came here people in France don't care too much about the Melbourne Cup, people don't know what it is.

"For me, I heard of it, but I thought the trip is too big so I didn't think of coming here."

Americain's victory of 12 months ago changed that perception for Delzangles and a lot of other French trainers who, at this time of the year, are usually preparing for a season of mud up to their knees in jumps races.

And with Dunaden's Geelong Cup victory two weeks ago at his first Australian start, the attraction of $6 million prizemoney and the possibility of a balmy spring is looking irresistible.

"I think for sure you will see a lot more interest from French trainers," Delzangles said.

"Many trainers ask so much about the Melbourne Cup already.

"If our horses run well in the Cup this year, I know many trainers will come in the future."

Should an invasion of French horses occur, the locals will have some of their own to blame.

Had it not been for the insight of Melbourne bloodstock agent Robert Roulston and the willingness of local owners Gerry Ryan and Kevin Bamford to look in new areas for a Cup horse, Americain would by now be attempting to sire hurdlers and steeplechasers.

"That's what he'd be doing," said Bamford's wife Colleen, who is also a part-owner.

"He'd been racing poorly in America when Kevin heard about him and the plan was for him to become a national hunt stallion."

The Bamfords and the Ryans sent Americain back to France to prepare for the 2010 Melbourne Cup and the horse took on a new lease on life.

The transformation took his trainer Alain de Royer Dupre by surprise.

Like most French trainers, the Melbourne Cup was something that wasn't a part of his thinking.

"I knew about it, but I never thought about it," de Royer Dupre said.

"Normally at this time in the year we are not thinking about these horses like Americain.

"But he has new owners and they want to take him to Australia, so why not."

When de Royer Dupre arrived in Melbourne 12 months ago he was pleasantly surprised at the condition of his horse.

When he saw him on Sunday for the first time in a month, he was amazed.

"He looks better than last year," he said.

"In France he is not so happy this year, but now he looks better than last year."

The improvement isn't confined only to Americain's appearance.

"I think everything is better," the trainer said.

De Royer Dupre said the horse had taken three or four days to recover from his Geelong Cup win of last year, but this time around had needed only one day to get over his Moonee Valley Cup success.

So much does Americain enjoy life in Australia, he will stay here after the Cup to be prepared for next year's Sydney autumn carnival after which he will be retired.