Camelot aligned with the ways of Alleged in the 2012 Arc
The devastating defeat in the third leg of the Triple Crown, had the connections of Camelot, seriously reconsidering his chances and prospects in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on Sunday at Longchamp. His odds for the prestigious event went down due to the
loss that he endured in the Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster against the Godolphin entry, Encke.
Not calling it a day for the 2012 campaign for Camelot, the connections resorted to racing him in the French challenge, and by the time they made the decision, the betting odds for the mega event were in the favour of the 2011 winning filly, Danedream.
Despite everything else in her favour, the nature worked against her as she and all her stable mates are being held off racing tracks due to the threat of the swamp fever.
"For three months we are now in quarantine; no horses can come into the track, and no horses can come out."
"It is a disaster, especially as Danedream cannot take part in the Arc at the orders of the special vets."
With Danedream out of the 2012 Arc frame, the race is meant for Camelot to take back to the connections. It will be his supreme chance to redeem the loss that he endured in his last trip, there can be no better way in which he can regain the respect.
The scratching of the third finisher in the 2011 Arc, Snow Fairy, and now the 2011 winner, Danedream, has cornered trainer, Aidan O’Brien and his entry, Camelot.
His form, the duration between the two races, the competition level, are all dealt with, however, the most crucial element that will majorly contribute towards the success is the jockey.
Camelot has been ridden by the stable jockey, Joseph O’Brien,throughout the season, but the gravity of the situation relates to the unavailability of the jockey. Not that the options are limited, but of course they are taken by rest of the trainers.
Aidan O’Brien’s first preference after his own son was jockey, Ryan Moore, who is joining the Sir Michael Stoute’s stable for the big day. Similarly, the Belgian racing icon, Christophe Soumillon, will get occupied by Orfevre’s Japanese connections.
Winning the Arc after the St Leger is not a simple deal specially due to the distance, and who so ever has tried claiming the Arc after the Leger, has failed. Alleged won the Arc twice only after qualifying as the runner-up in the Leger.
The pattern is the same as Alleged and with no defending entry on the horizon, Aidan O’Brien really needs to find a riding star for his under charge.
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