BRED in Ireland by Eamonn McEvoy, the gelded Casamento (Shamardal) five-year-old Amade made his first start in North America and in stakes company a winning one, capturing the Grade 2 Belmont Gold Cup Invitational over two miles on turf. Connections hope this improving sort will be a Melbourne Cup contender.

One of four winners from Sheba Five (Five Star Day) who was placed as a two-year-old, Amade is a half-brother to Nakuti (Mastercraftsman) who won the Group 3 Atlanta Stakes at Sandown and was placed in a Grade 2 race in Canada. Amade is trained by Allessandro Botti and he has now won eight of his 13 starts, only finishing out of the first three twice.