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Old 14th May 2020, 09:46 PM
walkermac walkermac is offline
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British Racing is now reckoning on a June 1st restart, following the UK government publishing a provisional timetable for the return of professional sport. That's just 2 weeks later than the best-case scenario they had been hoping for.

Apparently Russian Camelot was booked on a flight to England next week with the Epsom Derby as the target, per reporting in The Age last Sunday. The plan was to run first up over there and then be back again in time for the Australian Spring. British Racing have previously said that precedence will be given to the scheduling of 3yo races and have now announced that the plan is to run the Derby on July 4th (i.e. only 4 weeks later than the original date). Earlier this week the Epsom Council voted to allow the event to be held behind closed doors. It's likely all happening too late for Russian Camelot though. There's no announcement on when foreign raiders can race, for example, but they'll probably follow the lead of the other countries who initially forbade them upon their respective resumptions. Not to mention that there would be a $150k late nomination fee (139 horses remain engaged following the first scratchings deadline).

Trainer Danny O'Brien has claimed the Melbourne Cup "is an obvious race" for Russian Camelot now. He hopes for a weight of 52kg or less and aims for only two more races ahead of the big dance. His futures odds have come into as low as $11 and he is now the favourite with some bookmakers.


The first runner into the Cup though will be the winner of Saturday's Andrew Ramsden. The market currently has it between 4, with the remaining 8 starters at $20 or longer. Race favourite is King of Leogrance @ $2.45. Too Close The Sun is $4.80, Oceanex is $5.50 and Dark Alley is $6.50.
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