(Andrew Bensley is a leading commentator with Sky Sports Racing and Sky TV.)

It appears as though Americain will be back to defend his Melbourne Cup crown.

Part-owner Gerry Ryan told the Big Sports Breakfast this week that he believed the quarantine issues which were threatening European participation in this year's cups were pretty much resolved.

He also told the BSB that Americain will have two starts in the coming weeks including a Group Two event which he won last year in the lead up to the Melbourne Cup. He is one of 21 horses nominated for the Prix de Reux this Tuesday.

Racing Victoria's Melbourne Cup talent scout Leigh Jordan told AAP earlier this week that the RVL would be meeting with the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service to iron out any final issues regarding quarantine protocols.

With the deadline for nominations of the Caulfield Cup early next week and the Melbourne Cup a month later, we can only hope the issue is solved and those from Europe, and even Japan, can begin planning an assault on our great race. 

(Nominations for the Melbourne Cup close on 1 September this year, which is a month later than normal. Trainers and owners need to note though that noms for the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate will close next week, with weights to be released for those two races by the end of August.)

***** 

FRANKEL went a step further to becoming arguably the greatest racehorse in the world with a stunning victory in the Sussex Stakes in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Unbeaten in eight career outings, Frankel trounced his rivals which included another superstar, Canford Cliffs.

The Sussex was dubbed ‘The Duel In The Downs' with the match race between Frankel and Canford Cliffs expected to be a stunner. However, the former was far too good and in the end five lengths separated them.

Beaten trainer Richard Hannon later told the media that the winner was far too good for Canford Cliffs, however, he wouldn't be afraid of a re-match as he claimed the Goodwood track wasn't suitable for his champion.

Wouldn't it be great to see the pair clash again?

***** 

WHILE I don't usually talk harness racing in this column, this week I'll make an exception for the exception - Blacks A Fake.

The immortal pacer was retired last Saturday night after a gallant second in the Winter Cup at Albion Park to Georgetown.

A winner of 72 races and a world record prizemoney haul for a pacer of $4.5million, Blacks A Fake has been the benchmark in harness racing for the last six years.

If he were a thoroughbred, he would be on the lips of nearly everyone in this country and would share an immortality similar to the great Makybe Diva. After all, he won four Inter Dominion titles which is the harness equivalent to the Melbourne Cup.

Trainer-driver Natalie Rasmussen always said that once ‘Blackie' lost his invincibility that would be it, that she would pull the plug.

A younger Blacks A Fake would have saluted in the Winter Cup last Saturday. Now the rising 11-year-old is vulnerable to his younger rivals despite the fact he can still show them how to play on most occasions.

The difference now is the fact there are a few chinks in the armour that weren't there before, and Rasmussen rightly won't let those stand in the way of what has been a glittering career.

Farewell ‘Blackie' and thanks for the memories!