Goldikova gets reacquainted with Churchill Downs

History-seeking mare Goldikova was the star turn on the back side at Churchill Downs on Tuesday as she took to the dirt track amongst an impressive posse of French-trained runners at this weekend's Breeders' Cup meeting.

The three-time winner of the Breeders' Cup Mile sported bright red bandages on both front legs and a New Zealand rug as she was partnered in some strictly routine exercise by her regular work rider Thierry Blaise.

The seven French horses were led out by a pony and when they came back in after gently circumnavigating a lap of the Louisville course anti-clockwise, both Goldikova and Breeders' Cup Turf favourite Sarafina were very much on their toes.

Freddie Head is expected to be at the course to supervise Goldikova on Wednesday morning, while Sarafina's trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre is to make a brief return to France from saddling Americain in the Melbourne Cup, before flying out to Kentucky.