St Leger Stakes: Camelot just one step down on the ladder of British Triple Crown
With the high-profile St Leger Stakes, the third and last event of the British Triple Crown, set to take place during 12-15 September 2012 at Town Moor, Doncaster, all eyes are hinged on the A. P. O’Brien trained young bay colt, Camelot, who is just on the brink of breaking the long-held record of Nijinsky, who was the last runner to win all the three ace races of the English version of the Triple Crown back in, 1970.
By winning the first two legs of the Triple Crown entitled as 2,000 Guineas Stakes and Epsom Derby, Camelot has become the strongest candidate for the St Leger Stakes that will be the finisher of the three-race sporting event.
Since, the outset of the British Triple Crown in 1853, only fifteen horses have been able to win the trio so far with Nijinsky being the last one.
In the 1970 edition, the Vincent O’Brien trained bay horse marvellously finished first in each of the three races. During the same year, the son of Northern Dancer, out of Flaming Page, also accomplished the glorious titles of Gladness Stakes, Irish Derby and King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Thus, 1970 was the luckiest year in the career of the Windfields Farm-bred talented runner.
Since then, no runner has dared to break the record of Nijinsky so far. No one has even won the first two races except Sea The Stars and Camelot.
Sea The Stars won the 2,000 Guineas Stakes and Epsom Derby during the 2009 season, but failed to maintain his position on the podium in St Leger Stakes that was won by, Mastery.
This year, Camelot has reached the verge of the British Triple Crown victory. Now, the sport fans are anxiously waiting for the day when the Derrick Smithbowned colt will break the jinx after 42 years.
Each in 2,000 Guineas Stakes and Epsom Derby, the son of Montjeu, out of Tarfah, delivered outstanding performances, and finished first convincingly while being a red hot favourite runner.
The Qipco 2,000 Guineas Stakes (204th Running) (British Champions Series) (Group 1) (Colts & Fillies) was held at Newmarket on May 5. In this event, the skilled colt emphatically defeated 17 rivals to stand first.
In the Epson Derby, also known as Investec Derby (Group 1) on June 2, the momentous runner beat 8 competitors to notch up top spot in front of the Queen.
Now, the 5-race unbeaten runner is h**l-bent to seal a sterling success in the upcoming event of St Leger Stakes that, will be an acid test of the colt’s capabilities.
The owner is greatly confident of his commercial icon’s skills and he claims that winning the third event of the British Triple Crown is the top priority of the colt.
While speaking to the media a few days back, Smith told, “It must be on the agenda, mustn't it? We might get pressurised into it, but we will talk with Aidan and make the right decision.”
However, the betting market is yet silent about the St Leger Stakes. Camelot will definitely get the favourite tag for the biggest challenge of his life.
The British Triple Crown was originated in 1857 with the victory of West Australian. This gala event is designed for the three-year-old colts and fillies.
The 2,000 Guineas Stakes is run over 1 mile while Epsom Derby offers 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 10 yards track to the runners.
The St Leger Stakes is run over 1 mile, 6 furlongs and 132 yards. Let us see how Camelot manages to deal with the landmark event of his career.
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