AFTER taking in the sights -- and there were head-spinners galore at Venice Beach -- David Hayes reckons he's just about seen it all.
But, not too far down the road at Hollywood Park, close by to Inglewood where Pulp Fiction is played out daily, Hayes may have to think again.
Tomorrow's American Oaks, where Hayes will saddle up Anamato, has it all and then some more.
What are the odds of finding in the one nine-horse field a Melbourne Cup-winning trainer and jockey, neither of whom is Australian?
But, this is Tinsel Town territory. It draws all types, not to mention peculiarities unknown to Australian racing.
Where else would you find a $875,000 Group 1 race that starts on a chute through the middle of the track or that allows horses to run on medication that is outlawed here?
Anamato is the odd horse out in many respects.
For openers she is six months older than her rivals; she is the only horse to have run, let alone won over the American Oaks distance of (2000m).
Two of her rivals -- Baroness Thatcher and Panty Raid -- have never raced on turf.
Then there's the Dermot Weld-trained Supposition who hasn't started for 10 months and the French filly Just Little, a Group 3 winner over 1600m who'll race on the drug Lasix.
Add to this intriguing mix Japanese Oaks (1700m) winner Robe Decollete, who'll be ridden by Yasunari Iwata of Delta Blues fame.
Then we get to Valbenny, the $4 favourite.
Unbeaten in her four starts, she comes off a Grade 2 win at Hollywood Park last month over 1700m.
It's an eclectic mix, even by Hollywood standards.
Hayes' enthusiasm is tempered by the fact that it took Anamato about 10 days to settle in, she's still about 4kg to 6kg below her Australian best weight and she's come out of winter while most of the others have been basking in the Californian sun.
But, Hayes said Anamato's trackwork in the past week had picked up, an aspect which has also pleased jockey Michael Rodd.
After swatting up, Hayes and Rodd believe it's important to be more positive in how Anamato is ridden.
Both have noted the tempo is to break quickly then maintain the speed in what becomes a true test of stamina.
While that should suit backmarkers, it's not the case, even with a run home that Hayes likened to Caulfield.
Hayes said he hoped Anamato could settle about fifth or sixth, cart up and then peel to the outside.
"It's a long way to come to get blocked for a run," he said.
"The Japanese horse has genuine form through her win in the Oaks and her good run in the (Japanese) Guineas. It's the one, but all the locals are tipping Audacious Chloe."
Hayes said given the potpourri of factors involved, Anamato was not entitled to be short odds.
"If she had eaten better I would have rated her a 4-1 chance," Hayes said. "But it's by no means going to be an easy race."
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