Andre Fabre believes that Epsom is such an unusual racetrack that young horses benefit greatly from a practice run on the undulations of the Derby course at Breakfast With The Stars, the promotional event scheduled for Tuesday, 11 days before the Classic.
Andre Fabre believes that Epsom is such an unusual racetrack that young horses benefit greatly from a practice run on the undulations of the Derby course at Breakfast With The Stars, the promotional event scheduled for Tuesday, 11 days before the Classic.
Fabre, Godolphin's trainer in France, reckons that G1 Investec Derby and Oaks contenders learn a great deal from the reconnaissance exercise, even if they are travelling at little more than a strong canter.
With education the major objective, he plans to send Godolphin-owned Cloth Of Stars and a lead horse, Foresee, from his Chantilly base to Epsom this week in an attempt to emulate his brilliant Pour Moi, who landed the 2011 Derby with an unforgettable last-to-first thrust.
"I have brought a few horses to Epsom for the Breakfast With The Stars, namely Pour Moi, Ocovango (5th in the 2013 Derby) and Al Naamah (8th in the 2015 Oaks)," Fabre told the Godolphin website.
"It is a very peculiar track, unlike anything we have in France, so I feel it's important for the horses to get a good look at it.
"It's not necessarily about giving them a searching workout over the course, but more about letting them find their feet. This journey to Epsom will allow his jockey Mickael Barzalona, who has experience of the track, to see how the horse handles the undulations and peculiarities of this course.
"Cloth Of Stars is in fine form since his win in the Greffulhe. He is fit and well and has been kept ticking over. He won't be asked any serious questions on Tuesday," he pointed out.
Barzalona was Pour Moi's jockey when the Montjeu colt won five years ago. He stood up in the irons several strides before the finishing line, waving his whip to the crowd in celebration.
Cloth Of Stars, like Pour Moi and Ocovango, comes to Epsom off the back of a win in the G2 Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud.
