2010 Melbourne Cup winner Americain is ready to bounce back to the winners' stall in Saturday's Group Two Zipping Classic (2400m) at Sandown, according to foreman Stephanie Nigge.
Nigge has stayed with the horse, who ran fourth in last week's Melbourne Cup, as he looks to round off his campaign in style this week.
She told Sky Racing that the seven-year-old stallion had come on well since last week's run and felt he would be the horse to beat at level weights at Sandown.
"He's done really well. He's put on 3kg since his race and he looks good," she said.
"I think this is a good race for him and there won't be a lot of runners in this race. Two horses are very good, Manighar and Mourayan, but I think it's a good race for him."
Americain will be prepared by a local trainer, most likely David Hayes, in his autumn campaign, after which he will retire to stud.
Manighar is one of two other internationally trained runners in the race and is having his second shot having finished third behind Zipping, after whom the race is now named after his four successive wins on the race.
Charlie Henson, the travelling foreman for Luca Cumani, said he felt Manighar was ready to break his Australian duck having run no worse than seventh in his five runs in the country.
"Obviously Sandown is an afterthought, the same as a last year. Since last Tuesday he has been fresh and happy and Americain is a problem, huge problem and also Mourayan," he said.
"If he's ok, he'll run his normal consistent race and we are hoping he can put hit head in front."
Mourayan is considered the best credentialed of the locals as he seeks to continue owner Lloyd Williams' remarkable record in the race.
Brain Ellison's Saptapadi, 14th in the Caulfield Cup and 18th in the Melbourne Cup, is the other international runner entered in the race.