Russian Camelot continues drive to top in Underwood Stakes

Russian Camelot is an Irish-bred colt who rose to prominence in Australian racing earlier this year with an impressive win in the Group 1 South Australian Derby at 1 9/16 miles in May.

The win pushed Russian Camelot to the top of the future-book market for the Group 1 Melbourne Cup at two miles at Flemington Racecourse on Nov. 3, a position he can solidify with a win in Saturday’s Group 1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne.

Trained by Danny O’Brien, Russian Camelot figures to be about even-money in the $532,500 Underwood Stakes, which is run at 1 1/8 miles and drew a field of 11.

Russian Camelot has had one start since the South Australian Derby, finishing a fast-closing second by a head to Fierce Impact in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes at a mile on Sept. 12 at Flemington Racecourse. The Underwood distance is a better fit for Russian Camelot, who has won 3 of 6 starts in a career that began last October.

Russian Camelot is a 4-year-old by Southern Hemisphere standards and is about six months younger than other runners in the Underwood field that were bred in Australia or New Zealand.

The Underwood Stakes gives Russian Camelot a key start before potential appearances in Group 1 races such as the $3.55 million Caulfield Cup at 1 1/2 miles on Oct. 17 or the $3.55 million Cox Plate at 1 1/4 miles on Oct. 24 at Moonee Valley. Aside from the Melbourne Cup, those are the two leading races in Australia in coming months.

The second choice in the Underwood is expected to be Arcadia Queen, a 5-year-old Australian-bred mare who has won 6 of 11 starts and was a Group 1 winner at 1 1/8 miles in December 2018.

The Caulfield program begins at 10:45 p.m. Eastern, or 7:45 p.m. Pacific, on Friday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

The leading race on Saturday’s program at Rosehill Gardens in Sydney is the Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes, a $710,000 race for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs.

Rothfire, a winner of 7 of 8 starts, will be an odds-on favorite to win his fourth consecutive group race. Rothfire won the Group 2 Run to the Rose Stakes at six furlongs on Sept. 12 at Rosehill Gardens in his first start since early June.

Rothfire is capable of setting the pace and is part of a field of nine. Ole Kirk and North Pacific, second and third in the Run to the Rose Stakes, are part of the Golden Rose field.