There will be few better related horses in action at Randwick than Lancelot Du Lac and his trainers are optimistic he can add to the family legacy.
The Flying Artie colt is a half-brother to 2024 Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot and stakes performer Platinum Jubilee, all prepared by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
Bott says Lancelot Du Lac is in a different mould to his big sisters but showing his share of talent, as evidenced by his stylish debut win on the Kensington track earlier this month.
“Physically he is different to those. Different breeding, different sire lines there. And he profiles a bit differently to what they have,” Bott said.
“It was an excellent win on debut. We have given him plenty of time and been very patient with him.”
While both Lady Of Camelot and Platinum Jubilee hit the ground running at two, Lancelot Du Lac has been slower to mature.
He was given six barrier trials before making it to the races and after scoring in midweek company to start his career, the three-year-old steps straight to Saturday grade in the Macquarie St Social Handicap (1300m) at Randwick.
Bott’s only reservation is he’d prefer the horse to be extending further in trip, although he is hoping Lancelot Du Lac’s raw talent can help overcome that.
“There’s a lot more upside to come once we can see him over a bit further and in time,” he said.
“That will be the only query about Saturday is going up in grade and remaining at that trip. Other than that, he couldn’t have been any more impressive on debut. He put them away quite well.”
Lancelot Du Lac has been marked at $4.80 in what is shaping as a competitive race.
Stakes placegetter Ripley heads betting as a $3.90 favourite ahead of unbeaten filly Plaintiff, while Big Papa and Jaegers are $7 and $7.50 respectively, although the latter is expected to run at Canterbury on Friday night.
