Camelot in partnership with jockey, William Buick, for the Arc
The line-up for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe has been cut short of the 2011 defender filly, Danedream, the third place finisher last year, Snow Fairy, and now Nathaniel has also waved goodbye to the richest turf race after being diagnosed of a high fever and probably infected blood.
Wigan said: "He had a temperature, they took some blood tests and his blood wasn't right. Considering how close we are to the race, we cannot consider running him."
Even with the other trainers at a loss this Arc season, Aidan O’Brien is still strong with his two highlight entries for the mega event, Camelot and St Nicholas Abbey. The only restraining element in Camelot racing the Arc was the unavailability of a world class jockey.
The issue got resolved just when the Group 1 Coral-Eclipse winner, Nathaniel, was eradicated from the line-up. The dual Derby winner, Camelot, will now be racing with the 2011 St Leger winning jockey, William Buick.
"We've had the race in mind for St Nicholas Abbey for some time and Joseph will ride him."
"We have a lot of options for Camelot if he runs. There is no shortage of world-class jockeys."
The serious and highly crucial work out on Wednesday is supposed to answer his assured participation in the race.
The doubts hang in the air only because the devastating loss of the final leg of the Triple Crown that shook the foundations of the confidence of the colt’s connections. The magnitude of it got the horse racing fraternity considering the Ladbrokes St Leger as the final race of Camelot’s 2012 campaign.
"It would be great if both of them ran but obviously they have to be well and they have to go through all their tests and pass all those things before they get the all clear, but we'd be looking forward to it if that could happen."
There is not much that now stands between Camelot, and his chance to rectify the mistake. The punters are already highly enthusiastic about his presence in the line-up, and have him as the favourite with 3 to 1 odds already in his favour.
William Buick has raced many champions to the winner’s enclosure so that is one end about which trainer, Aidan O’Brien, does not need to worry.
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