Kentucky goes hi-tech

A WORLDWIDE television audience of millions is primed for a rider's eye view of Saturday's Kentucky Derby. A miniature camera will be strapped to the helmet of jockey Alex Solis who rides leading fancy Captain Bodgit at Churchill Downs.

While discussions still take place in Ireland and Britain about using miniature cameras to give television viewers the experience of horse racing that they already have with Formula One, the ABC network in the US has already made the move.

Solis has worn the camera in two races - and won both times. The camera, similar in length to a lipstick container, is mounted on the right hand side of Solis's helmet and is linked to a cigarette packet-sized transmitter strapped in a pocket on the jockey's back. The whole unit weighs just 19 ounces.

Curt Cowdry, a producer for the TV network said: "We are a bit superstitious. Solis won twice with the Jockeycam, so he's feeling pretty good about wearing it for the Derby."

If all goes to plan, viewers are likely to share the experience of Captain Bodgit, winner of seven of his 10 starts and over 5750,000, scything his way through the field.

And there is every confidence among "the captain and his crew" after the son of unheralded stallion Saint Ballado wound up his preparation by working over four furlongs in 48.2 seconds.

"That was impressive," said trainer Gary Capuano. "It was so easy, very little effort. We just coast from here and hope everything works out good for us.