(ANDREW BENSLEY is a leading commentator with Sky Sports Racing and Sky Racing Channel.)

While European trainers start lining up to contest this year's historic Melbourne Cup, Australian owners have begun trying to beat them at their own game in pursuit of the multi-million dollar prizemoney cheque.

Gerry Ryan and Kevin Bamford purchased French stayer, Americain, about four months ago and with a Group Two win since, they're all smiles in anticipation of adding a Melbourne Cup to the mantelpiece.

Americain is lightly raced having started 18 times for six wins and five minor placings. He is in quarantine at Newmarket in England preparing for the trip Down Under. Ryan told me on Sky Sports Radio this week that it's expected Americain will not contest the Caulfield Cup and instead will have a barrier trial for the Melbourne Cup. It's planned Americain will remain in Australia to continue his career after our most famous race.

Illustrious Blue was another purchase this week by Australian interests but his England-based trainer, William Knight, will prepare the Goodwood Cup winner for the Melbourne Cup. He is a $31 chance in TAB Sportsbet's All In market. The big question for all international horses is whether they can sprint with the locals over the final 400-metres in a Melbourne Cup.

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Trainer Leon Corstens, it'd be fair to say, has done it fairly tough for the past six months - but having done his time for using a prohibited substance, he's like a kid in a lolly shop awaiting his return as a trainer on Monday.

Corstens will regain control of his 70-horse team from John Sadler, who stepped in to help earlier this year. Among the horses Corstens is looking forward to training is Epic Dragon, a runner tomorrow at Moonee Valley. The stable is hopeful he can develop into a Derby horse.

Melted is another with plenty of potential that may be realised during the spring. During his enforced break, Corstens travelled to watch his dual Group One winner, Starspangledbanner, run at Royal Ascot.

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Now to Saturday's action and let's start at Ruakaka in New Zealand. Katie Lee finally returns for prominent owner Sir Patrick Hogan with a tilt at the Cox Plate on the agenda this campaign. Katie Lee is $81 in TAB Fixed Odds betting for the Cox Plate. Co-trainer, Graeme Rogerson, told me the sand-based track at Ruakaka will be a big help the program because so many tracks in New Zealand are waterlogged. Katie Lee has drawn barrier one in a field of seven in the race that is scheduled to start at 10.52am eastern.

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At Rosehill on Saturday, one of the interesting runners is Patronyme in the Research Stakes. The six-year-old failed to fire first-up in the Concorde Stakes leaving trainer, Joe Pride, a much confused man.

There was discussion about the retiring the mare but Patronyme has done everything right since and she'll get her chance to rebound in the 1200-metres race and Pride added any moisture in the Rosehill track would be a plus.

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Aquanita trainer, Robert Smerdon, has a couple of genuine hopes at Moonee Valley on Saturday. Drenalin will have his first start for the stable in a 1200-metre handicap.

Queensland trainer, James Lyons, the original trainer of Drenalin, can't afford a lengthy stint in Melbourne because of his second job in real estate and he sent the horse down to his former boss in Melbourne.

Smerdon was happy with Drenalin's gallop on Tuesday at the Valley and with a win in this year's Prime Minister's Cup at the Gold Coast, the horse is capable of producing a strong run.

Lady Lynette will back up at Moonee Valley in the Stocks Stakes because Smerdon believes the 1600 metres will suit.