The search for legitimate Derby favourites is the common theme on opposite sides of the world this weekend - one for the immediate future, the other more than seven months away.
The search for legitimate Derby favourites is the common theme on opposite sides of the world this weekend - one for the immediate future, the other more than seven months away.
At Moonee Valley, on Cox Plate Day in Melbourne, the Godolphin duo, Shards and Tally, attempt to establish their Classic credentials in the G2 Dilmah Exceptional Teas Vase, over 2,040 metres.
They line up against Tarzino and Sovereign Nation in one of the more reliable and established trials for the G1 Victoria Derby, which is run at Flemington seven days later.
Trainer John O'Shea has a high opinion of both and expects them to run well.
Meanwhile, later at Doncaster, UK, the John Gosden-trained Foundation renews rivalry with the Aidan O'Brien-trained Deauville in the G1 Racing Post Trophy, over one mile. Whoever comes out on top this time is virtually certain to head into the winter months as favourite for next year's Derby at Epsom.
The two highly-rated colts met in Newmarket's Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket on September 26, with unbeaten Foundation holding the advantage on the line by three-quarters of a length from Deauville.
Again, there should not be much between them but the winner can expect to be tagged winter favourite for the Derby, something many believe to be a dubious honour.
There are seven in Doncaster's Racing Post Trophy. One of the other interesting runners is Tony Curtis, who finished third in the G2 Superlative Stakes on Newmarket's July Course, and later won a Listed contest at Salisbury.
O'Brien also runs Johannes Vermeer and Port Douglas in a race that has become a good pointer to the following year's Classics.
America is gearing up for the Breeders' Cup at Keeneland on October 30-31, so most of the big names are in cotton wool or being primed on the training track.
I have previewed the Cox Plate in a recent article published on the Godolphin website but on the undercard the G2 Schweppes Crystal Mile, is another cracking race in prospect.
Bow Creek lost form earlier in the year, but a change of countries and surroundings may well have freshened him up. He is the mount of James McDonald, who has another excellent book of rides.
