I think the bottom line here, is that racing is a business. A company the size of Coolmore have to get the best returns they can, so they have to spread their talent as wide as possible. They'll chase as many G1 wins as they can. If they lob too many of their top horses into the one race, then they only hurt themselves. It's all about breeding. Churn out as many G1 winners as possible, and to do that, they need to chase as many of the plumbs as possible.
We racing supporters are a bit off the planet at times. I remember a horse, not long ago, winning the Derby by a panel of fencing, in record time, then being assessed as just an average Derby winner.
Whilst that is all true to some extent, current assumptions about Coolmore as breeders need qualifying. They have total domination of the breeding industry in Europe, and increasingly beyond, as all the best stallions stand with them. The financial pressures on them to race to breed rather than breed to race are less imperative. They are now in a position to dictate terms to the breeding industry, which explains why consideration is apparently being given to running Camelot in the St Leger; no other set of owners would ever consider going for the old Triple Crown with Camelot, but Coolmore, who have already indicated their willingness to buck the trend of breeding just for speed, are in the position that they can pretty much do what they want while the rest are forced to follow.
Not so sure Ron that the time or winning distance are really that important. If he only wins by a neck he's a beautifully bred,unbeaten dual classic winner at a mile and a mile and a half.
Probably not Dex. But what will he have beaten? I would like to see him against Frankel over 10f. That could be quite revealing.
I agree that Main Sequence is a good each way bet. It would be hilarious if he won though. The Lingfield Derby trial wasn't even run on grass!
With the smallest field in over a century, whoever wins will need to put up a fantastic performance to merit post-race adulation. Camelot is not the only unbeaten horse in the race:
