Tuesday, 15 May 2012

News From Ballydoyle

Aidan O'Brien has warned Ernest Hemingway will only run in Thursday's Betfred Dante Stakes at York if conditions are deemed suitable. The Galileo colt won by 10 lengths on his only start to date at Dundalk and is a best priced 25-1 for the Investec Derby at Epsom next month. He is due to test his credentials in the recognised trial on the Knavesmire on Thursday, but his participation is ground dependant. Speaking at a press morning at Ballydoyle, O'Brien said: "Ernest Hemingway is in the Dante, but he would only go to York if the ground was good or better. It is doubtful he would go to Epsom if he misses York."
He is confident Camelot will not lack for stamina when he bids to follow up his 2000 Guineas triumph in the Investec Derby at Epsom. The son of Montjeu rounded off his juvenile campaign with a superb performance in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster and he made a winning return when coming from last to first in the season's opening Classic at Newmarket. "Being by Montjeu, you would have to be optimistic that he will stay, but there are also serious Danehill and Kingmambo traits in Camelot, and he has always been a horse with tremendous speed. However, I have not seen anything to suggest that he will not stay the trip at Epsom, but we won't find out until the day," said O'Brien at a press open day. The Ballydoyle handler admits his charge has other questions to answer, namely how he will handle Epsom's undulations and if his nerves will stand up pre-race.
He also admits his son Joseph was lucky to escape serious injury after parting company with the ill-fated Furner's Green in Sunday's French 2000 Guineas at Longchamp. The three-year-old flew home under the young rider to claim third in the Poule D'Essai Des Poulains, but broke a leg shortly after the line. The young rider came out of the saddle but was unscathed. "It could all have ended in disaster in the French Guineas on Sunday when Furner's Green took a fatal fall passing the winning post," said the trainer. "We were all so very sad for the horse, but Joseph was so very lucky. "If it had happened a furlong earlier, three or four horses could easily have trampled all over him and he could have been seriously hurt as they were travelling flat out."