On Track - Spring 2020 Edition

17 ‘’Our view was that if we got them as yearlings they could develop bone and everything that suits Australian conditions, and they could learn to race the Australian way, which is not the same as the European racing style. ‘’And crucially, the trainer will know the horse earlier and get them into their training system. ‘’It didn’t stop me buying horses here of course... I bought more here in Australia and NZ than I did in the UK, but I still like to look for stayers there. ‘’The Europeans by weight of evidence deliver more winners than what we do locally.’’ However, if things go according to plan, Russian Camelot could be making the journey back one day: if he can prove himself the champion Wheeler and O’Brien think and hope he is, a European campaign could be on the cards in future years. But first, there is the matter of the Ladbrokes Cox Plate ...and wouldn’t it be fitting in this, the 100th running of the legendary race. Michael Lynch is a senior sportswriter at The Age and Sydney Morning Herald RUSSIAN CAMELOT DESTINED TO BE KING OF THE CASTLE Damien Oliver has eyes on a third W.S. Cox Plate Russian Camelot after his debut win in October 2019 Russian Camelot wins his maiden Group 1 in the South Australian Derby