Things may be starting to fall into place for Russian Camelot on the eve of the $5 million All-Star Mile (1600m) at The Valley.
The weather forecast reads favourably while there is a fitness doubt over rival Arcadia Queen who requires a further veterinary inspection on Saturday morning to be passed fit to run.
Arcadia Queen has drifted to $4.20 with TAB and shares favouritism with Probabeel while Russian Camelot has firmed from $7 into $5.50.
Market 💰: View the Odds for the All Star Mile
Then there is the weather.
Marty Synan, track manager at The Valley, says Saturday’s forecast is for rain in the afternoon, with up to 15mm forecast after 1pm.
That is music to the ears of trainer Danny O’Brien.
“He does appreciate a Soft5 or a Soft6, so any rain would make it a lovely surface, but he’s been effective on good surfaces as well,” O’Brien said.
The Irish-bred import is the least experienced of Saturday’s field, lining-up for his 11th start, but one with the most upside.
He will be having his first start since finishing eighth in the Melbourne Cup, but O’Brien does not believe fitness will be a factor on Saturday.
And from barrier two, Russian Camelot should get a kinder run than when second first-up in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington last September.
“There’s no worry about him being forward enough, it’s just whether he is going to be good enough to beat what is a really tough field,” O’Brien said.
“In the Makybe first-up in the spring he got stuck on a slow tempo and left in front at the top of the straight and got tipped out by Fierce Impact.
“So, it would be nice if there was a good gallop on Saturday and he could be having the last go at them.”
Written by Craig Brennan
