After his spectacular victory on
Saturday in the Derby at Epsom, connections of Australia will be
considering the next steps for their Classic winner Australia this
year.
The three-year old improved from a step
up from 1m in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket to 1m4f at Epsom for the
biggest race on the British flat calendar. He was able to score by
just under two lengths ahead of Kingston Hill and Romsdal,
respectively after going off as the favourite at Betfair.
Trainer Aidan O’Brien has already
hinted that a shot at the Irish Derby is a likely option next, if
ground conditions fall right. The Irishman will not risk his
superstar colt on soft side at the Curragh though.
O’Brien has been successful in the
Irish Derby in seven of the last eight runnings and if Australia was
to win the Curragh showpiece event, it would be the trainer’s 11th
win in the contest.
Looking further ahead into the season
and the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe is often the destination for the
Derby winner from Epsom. Run over 1m4f at Longchamp, Australia would
be taking on the best middle distance horses in Europe with betting
currently available with Betfair.
O’Brien has only won the Arc once in
which Dylan Thomas gave him success in 2007 to
reward backers in the race market. In 2012, Camelot attempted to
win Europe’s premier race after victory at Epsom but fell short,
while 12 months ago his hopes were on Ruler of the World and Leading
Light but neither could get in the frame.
Another option
for the Derby winner could be to step back down in trip as the 1m2f
Coral-Eclipse at Sandown on the calendar this summer. Sea The Stars
won that prestigious Group One contest in 2009 after his victory at
Epsom and before later success in the Arc in France.