By Carlo Zuccoli in the UK
LUTOWN Moor is the name of Doncaster Racecourse which is flat, pear – shaped and left handed with a run – in of more than four furlongs (800M).
There is also a one – mile straight course and the track is used for both flat and National Hunt racing.
The most important race conducted on the track is the St. Leger, which is the third leg of the Triple Crown for three-year-olds.
The last triple-crown winner was Nijinsky (CAN) (Northern Dancer) in 1970.
He was owned by Mr. Charles Engelhard, an American businessman who controlled an international mining conglomerate.
His trainer was Vincent O’Brien at Ballydoyle, Co. Tipperary, Ireland, but he was not related to the actual “Guvnor” there.
Camelot (IRE) (Montjeu) went close in 2012 to winning the Triple Crown, but was beaten by Encke (USA) (Kingmanbo): his trainer, Mahmood Al Zarooni was subsequently disqualified for eight years.
The St Leger, which is run over 1 mile six furlongs and 132 yards, was named after a very important local sportsman, Lt. Colonel Anthony St Leger.
St Leger day is still a very big day at Doncaster during the September Meeting and this year it will be run on September 15, with a total prize money of £700.000.
After winning the 2000 Guineas with Saxon Warrior (Deep Impact), plans didn’t go right for the Coolmore Group and trainer Aidan O’Brien as the horse didn’t fulfil expectations.
Coolmore has not given-up on winning the St Leger and instead will now run the favourite Kew Gardens (IRE) (Galileo) who on July 14th won the Group 1 Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp (2400m) at the odds of 7/5.
He came back on August 22 in the most important test for the St Leger, the G2 SkyBet Great Voltigeur Stakes (2400m), at Knavesmire at York.
After getting a long way back under Ryan Moore, the horse closed well late and finished third (the winner was Old Persian (GB) (Dubawi), beaten one and three quarter lengths.
If you can find 5/4 ($2.25) have a go because in my opinion he has more than 44.44% chance of winning this race.
The extremely good filly Lah Ti Dar (GB) (Dubawi), unbeaten, will be rerouted to France for the Prix Vermeille and she was the main danger for him.
The Coolmore boys can complete the double on Sunday September 16 at the Curragh by winning the Comer Group International Irish G1 St Leger, (2800m), which is open to older horses.
Flag Of Honour (IRE) (Galileo), 3, is at the moment second favourite at 2/1, but Order Of St George (IRE) (Galileo), 6, has been announced a non – runner by his trainer Aidan O’Brien as “he is feeling his age”.
Carlo Zuccoli