O'Brien Hopes Kew Gardens Can Spark St Leger Double

Aidan O'Brien believes his two William Hill St Leger Stakes (G1) favorites, Kew Gardens and Flag Of Honour, can kick-start a strong autumn, with Ireland's perennial champion trainer targeting victory in the final two classics of the season Sept. 15 and 16.

Such is the strength in depth at Ballydoyle that despite a bug disrupting the yard this summer, Order Of St George potentially missing the Comer Group International Irish St. Leger (G1), and Capri going down the Prix Foy (G2) and Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triumphe (G1) route, he still hopes to add to his haul of eight group 1 races in 2018—starting next Saturday in the classic at Doncaster.

In 5-4 favorite Kew Gardens, O'Brien has a horse whose relaxed demeanor aptly matches his name, and the colt has already bloomed at the highest level this season when winning the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris (G1) in July.

Following that success, Kew Gardens went to the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes (G2) at York and, while only third in the 1 1/2-mile race behind Old Persian, he stayed on strongly and looks tailor-made for the St Leger.

"He should step up a good bit from York. We were delighted with his run," O'Brien said Wednesday. "It wasn't ideal under the penalty, but we felt he had to run, and that was the perfect race to give him his prep."

Unlike the undulations of Epsom, where Kew Gardens could manage only ninth behind Masar in the Investec Derby (G1), Doncaster offers a flat, galloping track, something O'Brien thinks will benefit the son of Galileo.

"We always thought Doncaster would suit him, and hopefully the ground will be nice for him," the trainer added. "He had a disappointing run in the Derby, and he disappointed us a little bit at Lingfield (in the Betfred Derby Trial) when he got beat, so maybe he's a horse who likes a level track. He's very relaxed and has a great mind."

Kew Gardens could be one of four chances for O'Brien in the race, with Southern France, Nelson, and The Pentagon all under consideration.

Southern France finished fourth in the Comer Group International Ballycullen Irish St. Leger Trial (G3) last time out at the Curragh, and O'Brien is looking forward to the colt for the remainder of this season and beyond.

"He's a giant. A lovely, big horse, and he'll be an even better 4-year-old," he said. "We were very happy with his run at the Curragh. There wasn't a very fast pace, which wouldn't have suited him as we were riding him back a little bit. We rode him back a little as it was his first run for a while, and we didn't want him to get too tired. You can imagine Doncaster would suit him as it's a lovely, flat track."

Slow ground at Doncaster next week would aid the chances of Nelson, who has finished behind Kew Gardens in his past three starts, most recently sixth in the Great Voltigeur.

"He'll handle ease in the ground and stays very well," O'Brien said. "He'd probably stay further than the Leger trip."

Next weekend promises to be a busy one for O'Brien in Britain and Ireland with the William Hill St Leger and Irish Champions Weekend, which features among its group 1 highlights the Irish St. Leger.

As with Doncaster, O'Brien is spoiled for choice among his team, and he has the first three in the ante-post market. However, that could be subject to change, with hot favorite Order Of St George not a certainty to line up.

The 6-year-old won his first two starts this season before finishing fourth to Stradivarius in the Gold Cup (G1) at Royal Ascot in June. He has not been sighted since, and O'Brien said: "I'm not sure he's going to make it. He's just feeling his age a little bit at the moment."

Stablemate Flag Of Honour, winner of his past two starts at the St. Leger trip, including the Irish St. Leger Trial last time out, is in line to try to claim the prize. His price collapsed to 2-1 after the news that Order Of St George could miss out, although he is available at a general 5-1.

"When he went up in trip, he was very comfortable at it and got it well," O'Brien said. "He's a very honest, straightforward horse."

On last year's Doncaster classic winner, Capri, who was also a potential runner, O'Brien added: "The plan is to go to France for the Prix Foy and then if that went well, he might go back for the Arc.

"We're happy with what he's doing at the moment. He's been back in work for eight weeks and had a racecourse gallop last week."