Cover image by David Mariuz courtesy of AAP Photos
The Flemington conditioner’s patient approach was handsomely rewarded at Morphettville where Russian Camelot got out to a more suitable distance of 2500 metres and put paid to his rivals in the TAB South Australian Derby with ease.
It was his third win from five starts and, in his first appearance beyond 1800 metres, it was an exciting taste of what is to come from the 3-year-old, who by virtue of his Northern Hemisphere background also gave age away to his opposition.
"Obviously we're really excited. He's a horse that we've had a huge opinion of," O'Brien told AAP. "We've had him since he was a yearling and this was a race that we've been aiming him at for the better part of 12 months. He's turned up and delivered.
"It's very satisfying. It's never been done before - a Northern Hemisphere horse has never won a Derby in Australia.” - Danny O'Brien
"It's very satisfying. It's never been done before - a Northern Hemisphere horse has never won a Derby in Australia.”
Russian Camelot also completed a lucrative day at Morphettville for jockey John Allen, who had earlier partnered Ringbolt (Dream Ahead {USA}) to win the G3 TAB SA Sires’ Produce S and Game Keeper (Fastnet Rock) to win the Listed Adelaide Galvanising Adelaide Guineas.
O’Brien and his owners commissioned bloodstock agent Jeremy Brummitt to find them a potential high-class stayer and he settled on Russian Camelot, a 120,000 gns (AU$156,000) purchase at the 2018 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.
Russian Camelot (Ire) winning the G1 TAB South Australian Derby | Image by David Mariuz courtesy of AAP Photos
Colt showed class early
Ever since Russian Camelot’s arrival, O’Brien has had no reason to be disappointed in the colt who was a debut winner and then finished runner-up in the Listed Connoisseur S. on Melbourne Cup day.
He enjoyed a break and returned to finish fourth after bombing the start before a ridiculously easy win at Pakenham.
An inflamed throat forced the colt to bypss a planned lead-up race to the Derby, but it mattered not and he was far too good for Dalasan (Dalakhani {Ire}) and Warning (Declaration Of War {USA}).
Danny O'Brien
While missing an outing ahead of a Group 1 test was never going to be ideal, O’Brien had said pre-race that it wouldn’t be an excuse for the colt, who had worked supremely well and enjoyed a jump-out before heading to Morphettville.
Russian Camelot was caught three deep at the back of the field on Saturday, but Allen was happy to keep the horse in a rhythm and began his run around the field 500 metres from home.
They were widest into the straight and Russian Camelot let down impressively and in a manner in keeping with his stamina-biased pedigree.
Camelot (GB) | Standing at Coolmore Ireland
The fourth Group 1 winner for his sire, Russian Camelot is out of the unraced Lady Babooshka (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), who is a half-sister to the G2 Jebel Hatta S. winner Alkaadhem (GB) (Green Desert {USA}).
Their dam is the Sadler’s Wells (USA) mare Balalaika (GB), who won the Listed Newmarket Dahlia S. and is a sister to the dual Group 2 winner Stagecraft (GB) (Sadler’s Wells {USA}).
She is also a three-quarter sister to the former champion European stayer Kayf Tara (GB), who won two editions of both the G1 Royal Ascot Gold Cup and the G1 Irish St Leger. His brother Opera House (GB) was also a two-time Group 1 winner and successful sire.
Game Guineas winner
Two races earlier, Irish jockey John Allen guided Game Keeper (Fastnet Rock) to victory in the Adelaide Guineas and his third consecutive win in the race after previous successes with So We Are (So You Think {NZ}) and Peaceful State (Animal Kingdom {USA}).
"It definitely has been good to me and I got on the right horse again this year. It was a good win,” he said.
Trained by Tony and Calvin McEvoy, Game Keeper had won his two prior starts in lesser company and he powered down the outside to easily score by 3l.
"His last couple of runs have been good wins and just watching the replays in his last win he was really strong through the line,” Allen said. "He travelled well in the run, but when I pulled him out he really did pick up for me and accelerate."
Game Keeper is prepared by Ringbolt’s trainer Tony and Calvin McEvoy and they are now of a mind to back the 3-year-old up against older horses next Saturday in the G3 RA Lee S. before a break and mapping out a spring program.
Game Keeper is a son of My Tusker (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}), who won six races including three at Group 2 level and was Group 1 placed. She also produced Special Favour (General Nediym), who is the dam of the G1 Queensland Derby winner Mr Quickie (Shamus Award).
Game Keeper as a yearling
