O'Donoghue eyes US Treasure

LONDON, Aug 10 PA - Colm O'Donoghue feels he has valid claims of securing a first victory in the US when Treasure Beach runs at Arlington on Sunday (AEST).

This year's Irish Derby winner takes his chance in the $US400,000 Secretariat Stakes with Ballydoyle stablemate Cape Blanco due to line up in the Arlington Million.

"I've ridden at Churchill Downs, Santa Anita and Gulfstream, but not at Arlington before," O'Donoghue said.

The jockey knows Treasure Beach well, having ridden him at his last three starts including when second in the Epsom Derby.

O'Donoghue is, however, still at a loss to explain his rather subdued display in last month's Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp, in which he finished fourth.

"To be honest, I can't pinpoint a reason for that, except perhaps he didn't quite stay," he told the Irish Times.

"We went a good strong pace, probably stronger than we did at the Curragh, and he's a horse that isn't short of speed."