Star in the making Russian Camelot has secured his sport at the top of the Cox Plate betting with a dominant win in the Group 1 $750,000 Hyland Race Colours Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield today.
Russian Camelot’s 1.75 lengths win in the Underwood Stakes has forced bookies at Ladbrokes.com.au to wind in his price to $3.60 for the Group 1 $5m Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley on October 24.
The lightly raced Russian Camelot has collected his second Group 1 trophy at only his seventh race start and added today’s victory to his win in the Group 1 $400,000 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville in May.
An aggressive ride from Damien Oliver saw Russian Camelot take up a forward position and he stalked the leader Trap For Fools ($101) for the majority of the race.
Oliver steered the Danny O’Brien trained Russisna Camelot ($1.55 favourite) to the middle of the track in the straight and the four year old had the Underwood Stakes trophy in the bag a long way from home.
Rejuvenated eight year old Humidor ($17) ran home from the back to claim second prize ahead Arcadia Queen ($5.50) who claimed third spot.
O’Brien has the Cox Plate in his sights and will give Russian Camelot one more run before the Weight For Age Championship in the Group 1 $1m Neds Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on October 10.
“It is really exciting to see him produce a performance like this so early in his career,” O’Brien said.
“There has been a lot of hype around him so people were expecting things like this and it is really exciting to see him go out and get it done.”
“I said Damien, you are on the best horse and you are the best jockey, you guys will sort it out when you get out there.”
“I think he is the best horse I have had anything to do with particularly that he has done so much so early and he is a magnificent colt.”
“He got the job done today and hopefully it is not the end of his season.”
“That is our plan to go two weeks to the Caulfield Stakes (Neds Stakes) and then two weeks to the Cox Plate.”
Damien Oliver, above, steered Russian Camelot to victory in the Underwood Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.