Racing: The Hombre relishes trip to Australia

The Hombre faces a good-quality field in the Geelong Cup tomorrow. Photo / Supplied

Pollen is wonderful for bees and a hindrance for racehorses.

Hastings trainer John Bary believes pollen in the fruit bowl of Hawkes Bay, where he trains The Hombre, has been unhelpful in preparing the classy emerging stayer this spring.

He fully expects The Hombre to perhaps partially prove his point when he takes on a classy field in tomorrow's A$225,000 Geelong Cup.

Bary believes The Hombre has turned the corner in his sprint preparation since arriving in Melbourne last Sunday week.

"He's thrived and I couldn't be happier with him," said Bary yesterday as he took The Hombre for a walk on the surrounds of Flemington racecourse.

"I said to anyone that wanted to listen at home that I believed I had this horse at only 80 per cent this spring and he wouldn't go ahead further than that.

"Now he's finally come to it."

But it's going to be tough for The Hombre - this is a talented field of international stayers.

And you can see why when you ask DoubleBet's bookie Brian Taylor the reason he has European stayer Americain second favourite at $6 behind the $4.80 favourite, Moudre.

"At his last start in Europe, he [Americain] gave weight and a beating to Manighar in the 3000m Prix de Kergorlay at Deauville and Manighar ran a terrific race to finish fifth in the Caulfield Cup on Saturday, when clearly unhappy on the wet track.

"That's pretty good form. Not too many in this race would finish fifth in a Caulfield Cup on an unsuitable track."

Americain has topweight at 58kg. Rider Gerald Mosse was strongly tipped to be granted a stay of proceedings on the suspension he received in Saturday's Caulfield Cup.

Moudre was beaten last start after a fabulous Herbert Power performance, but he got too far off the pace last time.

St Leger winner Exceptionally is at $7, with former New Zealand stayer Mr Charlie, who was slightly disappointing when running on a bit to be close to the placegetters in the Metropolitan in Sydney.

Canny trainer Luca Cumani pulled Drunken Sailor out of the Caulfield Cup in which he would have obtained a start from his position on the ballot.

Drunken Sailor is hovering around the $6 to $7 price.

The Hombre, at $18, will be ridden for the first time by Mark Du Plessis.

"Mark rode him on Saturday morning and was very pleased," said Bary.

Another highlight will be the performance of Scotland The Brave in the Geelong Classic for 3-year-olds.

The Danny O'Brien-trained colt is by Encosta de Lago out of Zabeel mare Jezabeel, winner of the Auckland and Melbourne Cups in 1998.

Geelong Cup, 2406m.- Americain (1) 58; Drunken Sailor (9), No Wine No Song (14) 57; Once Were Wild (5) 55; Moudre (10) 54.5; Kerdem (15), Apprehend (6), Count Encosta (13), Exceptionally (3), Mr Charlie (2), The Hombre (7), Miles Above (12), Macedonian (4), Gallant Lady (11), Saint Encosta (8) 53.