Joseph’s big fear in bid for St Leger glory

JOSEPH O’BRIEN believes Kew Gardens is the biggest threat to him landing a first British Classic as a trainer in next week’s William Hill St Leger. O’Brien, who will saddle Irish Derby winner Latrobe in the final Classic of the season at Doncaster on Saturday week, admits he views Queen’s Vase winner Kew Gardens, trained by father Aidan, as the most likely winner. He said: ‘Kew Gardens is a class colt and will be tough for us to beat at Doncaster. I thought he ran a great race to win the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp and I was impressed with his last run at York in the Great Voltigeur.’ Latrobe, a 10-1 chance for the Leger with the sponsors, is owned by Lloyd Williams, for whom O’Brien trained Rekindling to famously win last year’s Melbourne Cup. And a trip Down Under could be a possibility for Latrobe, depending on how events pan out at Doncaster. O’Brien said: ‘Latrobe is a bigger horse than Rekindling and will be even better next year, so it is an option for him with regards to Australia. But we will see how what happens at Doncaster first.’ Tim Easterby, the last Yorkshire trainer to win the St Leger with Bollin Eric 12 years ago, has been denied the chance to repeat the heroics as Wells Farhh Go is out of the race with a stress fracture. Crystal Ocean, runner-up in the King George VI Stakes, is in line for a mouthwatering clash with last year’s Arc heroine Enable in the September Stakes at Kempton on Saturday.