The Derby
June 1, 2024
If you’re prepared to forgive City Of Troy his 2000 Guineas run then this Derby is all over.
He was by far the best two-year-old around last year. On debut at the Curragh Ryan Moore had a really hard time, after the line, in pulling him up. Next time out he battered the field in the Superlative Stakes winning by 6½L from Haatem who showed in both his Guineas runs, at Newmarket and the Curragh, that he’s no slouch. In the Dewhurst on soft ground, he wasn’t as visually impressive as he was in the Superlative, whilst not as eye-catching he was still far superior to the field pulling clear to win very easily.
On the same card that day, the race before the Dewhurst, two of his rivals today ran in the Autumn Stakes over a mile. Ancient Wisdom beat Ballydoyle’s Chief Little Rock 3¾L with Ambiente Friendly back in third. Today they are the main market rivals to City Of Troy. Had either run in the Dewhurst you wouldn’t have thought they’d have beaten City Of Troy.
Ballydoyle also run Los Angeles who is unbeaten. He showed very good form on heavy ground last year in winning the Criterium de Saint-Cloud and ground it out well this year when overcoming his pacemaker Euphoric when winning the Leopardstown Derby Trial. Euphoric will set the pace again today.
Aidan O’Brien wouldn’t expect Chief Little Rock who proved himself a good horse in winning the Gallinule Stakes last week to come anywhere near City Of Troy.
The ground is drying at Epsom. Officially good to soft, it will be good in places and come post time nearer good. That will suit City Of Troy and be a negative for the opposition. Forgiveness is a virtue of the bravest. It enlightens the heart. It’s the head that says forget the Guineas run, the two-year-old form makes City Of Troy the best.
Recommendation
City Of Troy 3/1 win
The Pattern Racing World Championships 2024
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