Russian Camelot cemented his place at the head of betting for the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup with a smooth victory in Saturday’s Gr1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield.
Settled second on the quarters of Trap For Fools setting a consistent speed, Russian Camelot accelerated past Trap For Fools and into the lead around the home turn and was then kept up to his work in the run to the line by Damien Oliver to defeat Humidor (Teofilo) and Arcadia Queen (Pierro). (Pic: Racing Pictures)
It is the second win at the highest level for the northern hemisphere bred son of Camelot and prompted O’Brien to lavish praise on the horse purchased as a yearling at Tattersalls in Newmarket.
“I think he’s the best horse I’ve had anything to do with, particularly to do so much so early in his career,” O’Brien said in a post-race interview on racingdotcom.
“He’s a magnificent colt and we’re thrilled that he’s got this done today and hopefully it’s not the end of the spring for him.
“It’s really exciting to see him produce performances like this so early in his career. There’s been a lot of hype around him, people are expecting things like this so it’s really exciting to see him go out there and get it done.”