Twelve months ago, the Camelot (IRE) colt Russian Camelot was barnstorming his way to the top, which may have elevated expectations for another son of Camelot (IRE), Hosier (IRE).
One thing for sure, they have not found the bottom to him yet.
Ridden by Ben Melham, the Robert Hickmott-trained gelding remained flawless at three for three in Australia with another arrogant performance over 1800m at Sandown-Hillside on Wednesday.
Allowed to dominate the race through leisurely fractions, Hosier (IRE) was only let off the bit at the 300m, and it was just a matter of how far from there. Under little more than a hand ride, Hosier defeated Excelleration (Excelebration) by three and three-quarter lengths with Pres De Toi (Helmet) a further one and three-quarter lengths back in third.
Melham said the son of Camelot (IRE) had taken improvement from each outing.
“He has been well-handled and well placed, but he is learning each time he goes to the races, and that was quite painless,” Melham said.
“The wind has picked up down the back straight, so I was mindful of having him in a good rhythm. Once he gets to the top, he pricks his ears, really doesn’t conserve any energy during the run, and when he gets to the 600m he picks up like a really nice horse.
“He has put good spaces on them each time he has been out, so if he continues to improve, as I think he might, I’m not sure what the metre will get to.”
Hosier arrived in Australia from Ireland relatively untapped.
He made his career debut when finishing midfield over 10-furlongs at Leoparsatown in June. That was some maiden won by subsequent Melbourne Cup runner-up Tiger Moth (Galileo) from Dawn Patrol (Galileo) and Order of Australia (Australia). That trio then chased home Santiago in the Irish Derby.’
Order Of Australia went to Keeneland to win in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile, while Dawn Patrol would win a Group III at The Curragh.
Hossier (IRE) had one more start in Ireland, finishing second to Charity House, a smart performer in Hong Kong.
Nothing has come close to Hosier in his three starts in Australia.
The Lloyd Williams colour-bearer was a facile five and a half-length winner over 1500m at Bendigo on June 5 before being throttled down to win by four lengths over 1600m on the same track on July 1.
While 3yo colt Russian Camelot was pitchforked into stakes company at his second start and was a group 1 winner three starts later, the 4yo gelding Hosier will likely have just one more start this preparation before being spelled.
Bred by Robert Lanigan, Hosier was purchased by his previous trainer Joseph O’Brien for €110,000 out of the La Motteraye consignment at the 2018 Arqana August Yearling Sale.
He is out of the Group 1 French Oaks runner-up Time Ahead (Spectrum), a half-sister to Group III Mussidora Stakes winner Time Away (Darshaan), also placed in the French Oaks.
Time Ahead’s granddam is the champion Time Charter, a 4-time Group 1 winner of the Epsom Oaks, Champion Stakes, King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and Coronation Cup.
