Die Macht » who prepares Galaxy Raider, believes the tr

TROON, Scotland -- Theyve been waiting a long time for a home winner in these parts.Hoylake had Rory McIlroy in 2014, while Royal St Georges had Darren Clarkes emotional victory in 2011. But you have to scroll back to 1923 and Arthur Havers to find a British winner at Royal Troon.In fact, its the Americans who have Troon all sewn up, winning the last six Open Championships staged at the South Ayrshire course in a run dating back to the great Arnold Palmers victory in 1962.While Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson and the rest of the present crop of leading Americans are sure to be in the mix for the Claret Jug come Sunday, theres reason to be hopeful of a home victory this year -- hopes hinged, as usual, on Northern Irelands McIlroy.The 27-year-old is due for another major. Not since the 2014 PGA Championship has he topped the standings in one of golfs biggest four events, and hell be relishing the chance to reignite his career with a fifth major on home shores.Theres a problem, though. While McIlroys third place at the Open de France earlier this month hinted at a return to form following a miserable U.S. Open tilt, his preparations in Scotland have been far from straightforward.Regardless of whether he set out to be deliberately provocative, his comments on Tuesday about the irrelevance of golf in the Olympics caused a stir and ensured his face was splashed across Wednesdays newspapers for reasons other than his Troon challenge.The furor is sure to come as an unwelcome distraction as he navigates the week ahead. Will fans be a little more muted in their campaigning for him after he revealed he does not feel a responsibility to grow the game? Thursdays tee shot on the first could be a revealing moment.Two men who are going to Rio are Englands Justin Rose and Danny Willett, and both look in good shape coming to Troon.Rose has been camped out in the town for a week already, taking in the sea air and acclimatising ahead of what could be a strong challenge on the weekend. While he used a press conference on Wednesday morning to affirm his commitment to the British cause in Rio, hes firmly focused on the Claret Jug this week and theres a determined glint in his eye.The 35-year-old finished in a respectable tie for sixth at St Andrews last year, but three missed cuts in the last six Open Championships means he comes to Troon with a record to set straight.Obviously my Open Championship form is something Ive definitely been conscious about, and really doing my best to turn around, Rose said on Tuesday. I think last year was obviously a nice step in the right direction.Im at the point where Im focusing on my performance rather than just trying to get fit. So I feel like its about the right time for me to start turning into a couple good results and Im excited about it.Of course, Roses Team Great Britain teammate Willett comes to Troon with a major already under his belt, having claimed the Masters title in stunning fashion earlier this year. But where did he finish at St Andrews 12 months ago? Neatly tied for sixth, with Rose.Being British, this is one you want to get your hands on, Willett said on Tuesday. I had a bit of a taste of it at St Andrews last year. Playing the last few holes, I was obviously in contention, and then being able to win at Augusta was awesome.To be able to come here as a major champion and get the crowds with us would be fantastic on Thursday morning. It will be really, really special.Beyond that big three of British golf, dare we mention the chances of someone such as Lee Westwood? The perennial nearly-man of major golf tournaments on both sides of the pond, Westwood was in contention at last months U.S. Open before a closing-round 80 saw him plummet to a tie for 32nd.Second at St Andrews in 2010 and third at Muirfield in 2013, if Westwood could just make it stick on Sunday then Troon could be the venue that sees him break his duck at age 43.As for a truly home winner, the Scottish challenge is likely to be led by Inverness Russell Knox. He missed the cut in his open debut last time out but has since claimed a World Golf Championship and turned in a strong performance at last weeks Scottish Open.While Knox has since become something of an adopted American, playing almost all his golf in the States, the fans will be rooting for him as a true blue Scot if hes in contention on Sunday. 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The fight served as a rematch of the pairs 2006 meeting, which Henderson won by decision. After fighting out the finish of a recent race on Ballarat Cup day, Dollar For Dollar and Galaxy Raider are set to clash again at Flemington.Dollar For Dollar resumed over 1600m in the benchmark 70 on November 19 and just held off the challenge from favourite Galaxy Raider to win by a nose.Trainer Greg Eurell, who prepares Galaxy Raider, believes the track pattern that day didnt favour his runner and is hopeful he can turn the tables with a swing in the weights in Saturdays Cafe Adamo Handicap (1600m).There was a three kilo difference last time and theres only one kilo between them this time, Eurell said.He is in great shape and I thought his run at Ballarat was a super run considering the way the track was running that day. It didnt help back markers and he still ran into it terrific.Hopefully he gets his opportunity at Flemington. He has led into this race really well and I think hes going to be extremely competitive again.Galaxy Raider, who is having the fourth start of his campaign, has firmed from $$2.dddddddddddd60 to $2.10 with TAB fixed odds ahead of Dollar For Dollar at $3.60 in the field of eight.Dollar For Dollars trainer Tony McEvoy was impressed by the lightly raced four-year-olds fighting win at Ballarat at just his third start and first since April.It was a tremendous effort, first-up at a mile, McEvoy said.He was an inexperienced horse taking on horses who were third-up at the mile but he showed great courage for us and that run has brought him on.Eurell is keen to assess Galaxy Raider again over 1600m on Saturday with a view to stepping him up to 2000m.Its certainly in the back of my mind that it would worth trying to step him up over a bit more ground and exploring that avenue before he has a bit of a let-up, Eurell said.If he shows us enough over 2000 metres it gives us a bit more insight and we can freshen him up and plan for something through the autumn. 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