DERBY TILT FOR RUSSIAN CAMELOT

Danny O'Brien is keeping an audacious bid to run Russian Camelot in the Epsom Derby at the back of his mind as the rising star edges closer to a return to the track.

The progressive three-year-old will gallop alongside Melbourne Cup winner and stablemate Vow And Declare between Races 3 and 4 at Geelong on Wednesday, before trialing at Werribee ahead of a return to the races.

The duo has been working out of O'Brien's Barwon Heads property with assistant trainer Ben Gleeson happy with their progress so far.

Gleeson said Russian Camelot would likely be targeted at the South Australian Derby (May 9) or the Queensland Derby (June 6), but Flemington-based O'Brien was also keeping the option of running in the Group 1 Epsom Derby in England on June 6 up his sleeve.

Russian Camelot will return over a mile and be kept in three-year-old company before progressing to one of the derbies.

Gleeson admitted the Northern Hemisphere-bred colt would have to be ultra-impressive in his Australian starts to book a ticket back to Europe, but said plans were already in place if everything progresses well.

"It's very audacious. But we've prepped this horse like he has been in England the whole time," Gleeson said.

"If he was in England right now he would be the type of horse that trainers would be aiming at an Epsom Derby. It's a big ask of a three-year-old to go back over there, but he's done the travel before.

"It's a very small plan. He'd want to come out here at Flemington and his South Australian starts and put pay to them very impressively.

"If he was to do so we would certainly consider it. But at the moment we will keep our head low and think Adelaide is the perfect time for him."

O'Brien has travelled to Europe before, running star sprinter Shamexpress at Royal Ascot.

Vow And Declare and Russian Camelot will work over 1000m at Geelong, quickening over the final two to three furlongs.

Craig Williams, who rode Vow and Declare to victory in the Melbourne Cup, will be on board the star again, while Damien Oliver will ride Russian Camelot.

Gleeson said it's likely Vow And Declare would run first-up in the G1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 7.

"If his fitness isn't where it's at after two trials then we might just take him to Sydney," Gleeson said.

"The likely target would be the Australian Cup first-up and then he can go up to Sydney."

Story by Ryan Reynolds for Racing.com

Pic by Racing Photos