Aidan O’Brien expresses concerns over Curragh ground
Aidan O’Brien, the legendary trainer of the superstar colt Camelot, has expressed grave concerns over the soft and slow racecourse of Curragh where his 4-race unbeaten pupil is going to run in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (Group 1) (Entire Colts & fillies)
on Saturday, June 30.
According to the trainer, who has three classic entries in the high-profile Irish event of the weekend, the soft ground following 4mm showers of Thursday night is not an ideal place for Camelot to perform up to the mark.
O’Brien claims that his colt runs well on faster tracks as it is evident from his previous outings. He fears that the maverick sprinter may lose his stamina while running at Curragh.
While speaking to the local media today, the well-reputed trainer told, “There is a concern that the ground [at the Curragh] won't be ideal for Camelot.”
“He did win the 2,000 Guineas on slow ground but it was fast when he won at Epsom. The more it dries out the better it will be for him."
The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby has received 7 entries including Camelot’s stable mates, Astrology and Imperial Monarch. The contest over 1 mile and 4 furlongs is scheduled to begin at 7:40 (GMT) tomorrow. The winner will bag the prize cheque worth €725,000.
Camelot, under the trainer’s son J. P. O’Brien, is the best-priced runner with Paddy Power having 3-10 odds.
Since making his debut with a classic conquest in Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund 2yo Maiden over 1 mile on July 14, 2011, the talented son of Montjeu out of Tarfah has won all of his four races so far.
On June 2, 2012, the novice colt excellently lifted the title of the Investec Derby (Group 1) over 1 mile and 4 furlongs at Epsom racecourse.
Now, Camelot is all ready to show his guts at Curragh provided the ground permits him to run to his best.
According to the course clerk, some more showers are due tonight, softening the ground further. This does not augur well for Camelot.
But at this stage, O’Brien cannot pull his commercial icon back from the card. The only thing he can do is to pray for the colt’s good luck.
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