The Derby
May 31, 2011
There is only one. Imitators around the world use the term but let’s face it, Epsom is The Derby. On Saturday we will be treated again to the sight of the best three old middle distance horse conquering the famous camber of the downs. To win it the animal must overcome a packed parade ring followed by a noisy grandstand parade.
The start is very important as position around Tattenham corner is decided by a decent break, miss it and your chance is gone. The field will pack and shuffle and those who can’t cope with the pace will be boxed in on the rail having to giveaway those vital lengths that will be so crucial when the run for home starts in earnest. By the time that happens temperament and balance will have been tested to the full. In the run to the line stamina and class will win out. If a horse hasn’t all four attributes he won’t win. That why The Derby is the most important race of all.
The 10 yards after a mile and half may well decide this years renewal. Only two runners have previously gone the distance before. The Chester Vase winner Treasure Beach will be re opposed by Nathaniel where a head separated them. You have to go back to Shergar to find the last winner of the Vase who went on to win at Epsom. The year before that Henbit triumphed after his prep win in The Vase.
Godolphin look to rely on Ocean War who won the Newmarket Stakes over a mile and two last time out. Although a recognised Derby trial it hasn’t produced a winner before.
Pour Moi and Vadamar represent the French who haven’t won The Derby since Empery’s success in 1976. A confidence surrounds the Andre Fabre colt since his success in the Prix Greffulhe where he accounted for Bubble Chic by a length and a half with Vadamar a further length behind in third. The intriguing piece in the equation is the ownership of the Fabre colt. Coolmore usually do The Derby via Ballydoyle.
The Guineas form is represented by Native Khan. Third at Newmarket he ran with great credit having previously taken the Craven at headquarters. Firm ground is to his liking but the trip may be a stretch at this stage of his career though Johnny Murtagh in the plate will know how to preserve his energies.
The traditional approach of Balldolye is to produce their number 1 in the Derrinstown. It hasn’t hit the highs of the early noughties when it produced Sinndar, Galileo and High Chaparral. Recital duly won from stable companion Memphis Tennessee and while the result was never in doubt one wonders if Kieren Fallon will be able to relax him early in order to produce him late. The high head carriage is a concern as is the stamina question mark. His win at the back-end of last year when taking the Criterium De Saint-Cloud by five lengths from Bubble Chic suggests on the book he will have the measure of the French colts.
The Dante is the most recognised Derby trial of all and this year promoted The Queens Carlton House to favouritism. His win over Seville in a trappy contest set on a muddling pace does merit considerable respect. He focussed on the drive to the line and Ryan Moore did not have to resort to the whip. Seville, second in last years Racing Post will undoubtedly come on for the run as will the winner and you would expect both colts will see out the trip.
As ever The Derby will be an intriguing contest. The demands to stay that extra 10 yards may well define this years race. Tactics will play a big part. Those with questionable ability to stay in a true run race will be helped by the quick ground and may just last home when produced late. While there dying in the last strides the true stayer’s will emerge to battle it out and you can expect her majesty’s levels of excitement to run high.
However on a sunny day more suited to buckets and spades a Treasure Beech may be the place to relax.
Colm O’Donoghue’s mount displayed a serious turn of foot in coming second at Listowel last year. He was caught in a pocket but when extricated he flew. By Galileo having proved himself over the trip at Chester his stamina and turn of foot may just be enough to roll back the years to Shergar.
