Welcome all to Epsom for the 8th running of the $1,000,000 G1 Derby de English. This race is big on tradition and often propels the winner into stardom with the last three winners going on to earn Eclipse awards and multiple graded winners. Last year, Lex Luthor saluted and has since gone on to win many graded races including the G1 Coronation Cup last week. In 2005 and 2004, Sim champions Horseshoe Bay and Sunnybank Memorial saluted and have both gone on earn Eclipse awards and both surpass the 10 million dollar mark. Race record belongs to Horseshoe Bay who ran a 2:29 3\/5 in 2005 and will most likely start favorite this week in the G1 U Want A Piece Of Me Stakes showing that most of the winners of this race here at Epsom this week go on to illustrious careers.<\/p>\n
The track has been rated perfect for this group of crack 3yo turf routing colts with this years field looking every bit as promising as the last couple of years. Sydney Derby winner Kirby\u2019s Best Yet is here along with Adelaide Derby winner Rural Law who will both have to reproduce these performances to takes the winners cheque this week. <\/p>\n
Lets take a look at the field.<\/p>\n
PP #1 – WISPER SOFTLY(KY) (rocket23) 11\/1
May have to do as his name suggests here as he certainly will not be making the sound of a winner this week. Has only missed hitting the board once in nine starts possible due to small fields he runs in however his 3rd placed run in the G3 Dante Stakes at 11f was a dead set cracker, coming from over eight lengths down to challenge. Form line from that race has been average but he has shown he can mix it in graded company. Nijinsky II, Blushing Groom and Red God all tell me 12f is well within him and it is a great ploy by rocket to step him up to graded level after an average run when 3rd of 4 at 12f stakes level last time out. Prefer others this week but an interesting runner nevertheless. <\/p>\n
PP #2 – STATE STREET(IRE) (lenny10) 18\/1
Great move by lenny pushing this Street Cry colt out to 12f after winning twice and placing 5th in his last three runs all at 11f. The pick of the bunch was in 3189 in which he ran a SP of 89 to win stakes by over two lengths coming from over six lengths down. Caerleon as the DS tells me this trip is in his scope and if he can prevent getting too far back, he may well run top 5. Was beaten by Lightninginabottle last time out at 11f by almost six lengths at this track which is a huge concern and he must put that behind him or be put away this week. Not over wrapped with his chances especially with an inexperienced K Bedwell aboard.<\/p>\n
PP #3 – LAGOON OF LOVE(IRE) (wabred) 10\/1
Based on his Sydney Derby twenty-two length thumping he cannot figure here however that may have just been a bad run. In his start prior to the Derby he ran a 92 at 11f in stakes company, beaten just three lengths by Kirby\u2019s Bet Yet when sitting close to the lead after winning his three previous stakes races when leading or sitting just off the pace. His last two starts \u2013 the Derby and 8f G1 2000 Guineas last time out have resulted in him being flogged as he is getting to far back. Has drawn nicely in gate three this week and as long as he races up front, he is a chance to run in the first half.<\/p>\n
PP #4 – SILENCERS(KY) (super1) 6\/1
From a stable full guns, Silencers looks to be the one with most potential highlighted by his last three runs that have seen him place 2nd on all occasions. He was beaten by Credit Advantage in the Transmission Stakes by just over two lengths before running a SP of 97 in the Sydney Derby off a seven week break. In that run, he trailed the leader by over eleven lengths to close with Kirby\u2019s Best Yet to nail the field and finish just over four lengths behind. Last time out he again was the bridesmaid running a 101 at 12f in stakes company in a race that he should have dominated and won due to a lack of class. He has the advantage of not having to travel, is coming off a three week break and with Edwards aboard who has 51 wins at 16.6% he is every shot! <\/p>\n
PP #5 – CREDIT ADVANTAGE(ENG) (oasis3) 8\/1
Barnstorming win in the Transmission stakes beating Silencers by over two lengths at 11f before failing to hit the board in his stakes run at 10f then his G1 Sydney Derby run after that. Place 4th but was over ten lengths off Kirby\u2019s Best Yet in the Derby and just missed winning last time out at 9.5f in stakes company in 3217. Four week break is a plus but he must produce his best to reverse the Derby result this week as the first two were in another class when they last faced each other. Has been a good horse to date and must stand up this week however with S Ledwith aboard he will certainly get no favors. <\/p>\n
PP #6 – ALL RIGHT(KY) (peeps10) 9\/1
Has relished the swap to turf in late 2006 and based on his last two runs \u2013 he may cause some trouble. Won 11f stakes race two starts back by over two lengths running a 99 and backed it up with a 4th place in the G1 Adelaide Derby behind Rural Law but was well beaten. Doesn\u2019t run well when getting too far back and this may have accounted for his inability to stay in touch in Adelaide or was it the class factor? This will be a cracking test and he will certainly give the Cobra Kai Racing Stables an indication of his ability this week whilst attempting to ad to the stables whopping 23.4% success rate in 145 races. May run a cheeky race but jockey C Spoerer is certainly not All Right and will make matters difficult!<\/p>\n
PP #7 – KIRBY’S BEST YET(KY) (kingkirby) 7\/1
As mentioned in the intro, this Dynaformer colt took out the G1 Sydney Derby beating Silencers by over four lengths, Synchronization by eight and Credit Advantage over ten lengths. Blue blood who stepped out on dirt last time out backing up from the Derby to win at 12f on dirt but looks as if he prefers this trip on the green. Unbeaten after racing through the ranks with his smallest winning margin two and a half lengths in his maiden, he has been handled to perfection. Based on his Sydney Derby win, he looks to relish the extra distance with a career high 100 SP at 12f and I can see another solid effort this week with some good speed evident in the race. Coming in off a four week break which suits as highlighted by his Derby win and he will run ITM providing he doesn\u2019t get the dreaded bounce.<\/p>\n
PP #8 – SYNCHRONIZATION(KY) (corzak) 9\/1
Enormous effort when setting a cracking pace last time out to finish 3rd in the Sydney Derby going down to Kirby\u2019s Best Yet by eight lengths. As I predicted in that race the 12f would suit him and put him at an advantage over others and after hitting the board in Sydney he looks a good chance to run at least top five here. As I also said in the preview of that race, I would like to see him sitting just off the pace instead of leading and that applies again here as it doesn\u2019t help him in the stretch against such good opposition that have the ability to run him down. Shadow Creek will hopefully set the tempo allowing this guy to peel off and hit the line hard. Corza, did you not put in your jockey selections? <\/p>\n
PP #9 – GALACTIC BOMBER(KY) (focusforce) 15\/1
Hailing from the Queensland Racecourse Residency is this son of Orientate who has won over 50% of his turf starts including his last five races. Ran an 88 last time out to win at 12f in stakes company and took out the Can He Get The Distance stakes before that at 11f by over four lengths running a SP of 90. Both these previous runs were in small fields against substandard opposition and the step up in class should see him dealt with this week. Has only ever missed hitting the board once in eleven turf starts but this record looks set to tumble unless he can step up especially with Montoya aboard who only has seven wins this season.<\/p>\n
PP #10 – RURAL LAW(IRE) (vettori) 13\/1
Over $400,000 earnings and is one of four in the stable with earnings over $100,000, Rural Law proved last time out that he can not only run the 12f, but he can also win big races. Winning by three lengths after being over ten behind, he ran a SP of 99 to nail the Adelaide Derby propelling him to 5th rank in turf long route division. After doing half his racing on dirt, he has found his feet on turf and has won back to back races and is coming into this off a five week break so he should be kicking down the barn doors. Has run ITM five of six on turf with a 50% winning ratio on the green and looks to ad to that record here this week. Nugent aboard has 53 wins at 15.1% this year and will help. <\/p>\n
PP #11 – ASTRONOMER’S QUEST(IRE) (elite6) 8\/1
Galileo X Kris. S X Bold Ruler \u2013 was he ever going to run less than 10f? This son of Galileo was finally given his first real opportunity to race last time out and he didn\u2019t disappoint, nailing a 12f stakes race here three weeks ago running a SP of 102 making it back to back stakes wins. 12f + is this guys caper and I am tipping him to run ITM here this week without a doubt. Winning form, good three week break, bred for every bit of the distance and solid SP last time out \u2013 get on him. Elite, were you and Corza drinking at the pub when jockey selections were due?<\/p>\n
PP #12 – SHADOW CREEK(GB) (fatattack2) 8\/1
Looking to follow in the footsteps of stable mate Horseshoe Bay by winning this race. Ran 2nd in the Sim Sports Derby Prep stakes at 10f last time out after leading by over seven lengths running a SP of 96 at this track. Tried to nab a spot in the Bluegrass Derby two starts back after winning eight of nine starts on turf including the G1 KyHorseman Juvenile. Has over $1,000,000 earnings and appears to have sufficient stamina to be competitive here. Will be the certain leader and must stall the race and set a very easy tempo up front if he is to hold out the cavalry charge in the stretch. Jumping from so far out will not help his chances and whilst Jockey J. Diggs is no mug, he is certainly not the one I would select. <\/p>\n
PP #13 – ALT UNIVERSE(KY) (theoc2) 15\/1
Great Rock Hard Ten colt who looks to show great potential on both surfaces. Placed 3rd in the G1 Adelaide Derby to Rural Law beaten by nine lengths after running on from mid-field. Won back to back allowance races before that at 9.5 then 11f and appears to be able to handle distance well as is backed up through his breeding. This will be a big test however he is coming off a five week break and should be one of the better runners. Certainly didn\u2019t have the best of jockeys aboard in the Adelaide Derby and possibly didn\u2019t benefit from the inside draw considering his running style. That said, the story appears to be the same as before \u2013 wide draw a very average jockey to boot. <\/p>\n
PP #14 – LIGHTNINGINABOTTLE(KY) (super21) 22\/1
From a stable with two 1 million plus horses and another that has 500k to her name, this Seeking The Gold colt has a lot to live up to here. One of two chargers from the \u201cSuper Stables Bigger Than Oil\u201d empire, Lightninginabottle has not done enough yet to indicate that he will run a high 90 SP to win this race. He is certainly breed for this distance and much more but it appears that some of these opponents may be too zippy at 12f. Lightly race with just eight races, he saluted in stakes company at 11f last time out running a 88 SP to beat a field of just four at this track in 3217 to propel him into this race. Races handy to the lead and moves up swiftly to take the race but will find class a huge factor here this week and whilst not completely out of it, I believe he would be better over 14 \u2013 16f against this field. <\/p>\n
Tips: quite sure on my top four this week.<\/p>\n
ASTRONOMER’S QUEST, SYNCHRONIZATION, KIRBY’S BEST YET and SILENCERS.<\/p>\n
Which order it is hard to predict but I am going to take:<\/p>\n
1st \u2013 SILENCERS \u2013 no travel, cracking run last time out and jockey.<\/p>\n
2nd – KIRBY’S BEST YET \u2013 bounce time? Believe Silencers can get him this week.<\/p>\n
3rd \u2013 ASTRONOMER’S QUEST \u2013 jockey is a mug, otherwise top 2. Bred to win this race. <\/p>\n
4th – SYNCHRONIZATION \u2013 Peel off leaders instead of leading which killed him in Sydney.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Aussie Derby Winners To Meet Tougher Challenge And Different Story<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":262,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"colormag_page_container_layout":"default_layout","colormag_page_sidebar_layout":"default_layout","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4322","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-previews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4322","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/262"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4322"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4322\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4322"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4322"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4322"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}