Jockey admits St Leger distance may not suit red-hot favourite Camelot

By Simon Jackson, London24’s horse racing correspondent
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
2:47 PM

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Jockey Joseph O’Brien has admitted that that extra distance is an unknown factor for red-hot favourite Camelot in the Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster on Saturday.

The son of Montjeu bids to become the first since Nijinsky in 1970 to secure the Triple Crown of the 2000 Guineas, Derby and St Leger.

But he has yet to race over further that a mile and a half and O’Brien confessed that the one mile, six furlongs and 132 yards of the St Leger is a step into the unknown.

“Camelot is an exceptional horse with a brilliant turn of foot,” O’Brien said. “Whether he will stay a mile and three quarters, that’s the big question and nobody knows the answer until Saturday. It may only be just over two furlongs further than he has been before but that is still a lot.

“Camelot is still learning and has not had as much racing as some horses of his age. He is a jockey’s dream to ride as everything comes naturally to him. You let him come alive in your hands and he is actually very easy to ride. He is just unbelievable and is not like any other horse I have ever ridden.

“Camelot loves his racing and knows he is one of the best. He has a great outlook on life. I remember after he won at Epsom, he just looked at the cameras and pricked his ears. I know I am very lucky just to have anything to do with him.

“The Triple Crown would be a dream come true. I have seen the videos of Nijinsky and Lester Piggott and if Camelot could emulate that it would be unbelievable.

“There are no certainties in racing though and we just don’t know about the extra distance in the St Leger.”