Russian Camelot Thrills In Caulfield Group 1

History maker Russian Camelot (3c Camelot - Lady Babooshka, by Cape Cross) confirmed his status as one of the most exciting horses in Australasia when justifying favoritism in Saturday’s Group 1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield.

The Danny O’Brien-trained colt became the first Northern Hemisphere bred horse to win an Australian Derby when taking the South Australian contest in May. Beaten a head last time out when dropped back to a mile, he was sent off favourite for his return over a furlong farther.

Damien Oliver rode the bay to chase the leaders and asserted in the straight, running out a comfortable winner by a length and three quarters from three-time Group 1 winner Humidor.

Danny O’Brien is no stranger to top-level success, having won the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup, but was evidently excited by his charge’s performance. “It's really exciting to see him produce performances like this so early in his career,” he said. “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. I think he's the best horse I've had anything to do with, particularly to do so much so early in his career. He's a magnificent colt and we're thrilled that he's got this done today.”

Owned by a partnership and bred by Lynch Bages and Camas Park Stud, Russian Camelot was bought by Jeremy Brummitt at Tattersalls as a yearling for 120,000gns. He is one of five individual Group 1 winners by Camelot, whose daughter Even So took the Irish Oaks earlier this season.