Danny O’Brien already has one promising winner by his former G1 star Russian Camelot (IRE) in the stable in Censori and on Sunday at Bendigo he unleashed another.
Handsome grey colt Crown of Russia was stepping up to 1600m at his second start following a debut fifth at Seymour last month and with Craig Williams to ride he produced a solid staying effort on the heavy ground to win.
He beat the race favourite by nearly a length and will take good benefit from the experience.
After the race Williams was quick to praise Crown of Russia for his beautiful action and believes the further the better for the lightly raced colt who will be aiming towards the Group I VRC Victoria Derby in November.
A $50,000 Inglis Premier purchase for his trainer from the Widden Stud draft, Crown of Russia is the third winner from five foals to race from Triple Tiara, an unraced half-sister to Group II winner Basra, who was a winner up to 2000m.
Crown of Russia is the third first crop winner for Russian Camelot, who was an eye-catcher at the Widden Stud Victoria stallion parade this year and stands at a fee of $16,500.
