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By Ray Hickson

Galeron might be one of the outsiders in Saturday’s Group 1 $1.5m TAB Epsom (1600m) but co-trainer Rob Archibald wouldn’t put it past the import to break his Australian duck in the time honoured feature mile.

Trainer Rob Archibald (Pic: Grant Guy)

Archibald and Annabel Neasham have top weight My Oberon engaged in the Randwick mile but he said after drawing the outside barrier there’ll be a rethink in the days leading up to the race as to whether he lines up or is saved for the King Charles III.

That leaves $101 chance Galeron potentially flying the flag and Archibald said with the five-year-old to carry 50kg and jump from an ideal barrier it's not beyond him to surprise.

“He gets in with a really nice weight so we’re happy with the way he’s going, he deserves to take his chance in a race like this and I’m sure he will be very competitive,’’ Archibald said.

“He’s a little bit out of the handicap. But he’s the sort of horse it doesn’t matter what race he’s in he’s just going to run the same style.

“From the good draw hopefully he can settle that little more further forward and with plenty of speed on he’ll definitely be rattling home late.

“It’s throwing him in the deep end but his best form has him right in it.”

Galeron arrived in Australia last year under the care of Charlie Hills and made his local debut in the Golden Eagle before transferring to the Neasham yard.

He’s had nine subsequent starts for four placings, including a close second to Epsom rival Major Beel a month ago, and each of those placings have come at the 1600m.

“It’s taken us a little while to get our head around him and understand him,’’ Archibald said.

“We’ve kept him to the mile, every time he runs over the mile you think he needs further and every time you run him over further he doesn’t see it out.

“He just needs the right set up to be running well.”

There’s a strong sense from Archibald that My Oberon was considered a big winning chance prior to the number 21 coming out of the barrier draw box on Tuesday morning.

He ran seventh in the race last year from barrier 15, beaten two lengths, but showed the writing was on the wall with a half-length second to Fangirl in the 7 Stakes two weeks ago.

“It’s very frustrating that draw, because we’re really happy with the way he’s been going,’’ Archibald said.

“He bounced back to some really good form in the 7 Stakes so I’m sure there will be plenty of discussion about whether he takes his place or not.

“The blinkers went back on for that second-up run and the mile was going to suit him. He’s in great form and there’s plenty of nice races coming up if we don’t go there.

“We feel if he can get his chance from the draw then he’ll take his place but if not we’ll look for another option.”

Star Of India has only raced twice since he made a promising Australian debut back in 2022 winning the Rosehill Gold Cup but Archibald said the six-year-old is ready to bounce off his first-up run into the Group 1 $750,000 James Squire Metropolitan (2400m).

My Oberon runs second at Randwick on September 21

“It’s a bit of a step up from where he’s been but we think he’s just starting to get back to where he was,’’ he said.

“If he’s anywhere near his best form then he’s going to be a real challenger. It’s a bit of a task but confident he’s going well enough to be right in the mix.

“His closing sectionals were excellent the other day (in the Kingston Town) and I think he’s heading in the right direction.”

All the fields, form and replays for TAB Epsom Day at Randwick on Saturday