A friend called me from Australia over the weekend, asking for my views on the upcoming English Classics. "Has the winner of the Derby run this season?" he asked.
A friend called me from Australia over the weekend, asking for my views on the upcoming English Classics. "Has the winner of the Derby run this season?" he asked.
It sounded like the ultimate trick question, particularly as most in racing are currently searching for a legitimate favourite for the big race at Epsom on June 6, never mind who is actually going to win it.
The latest series of 'trials' for the Derby, at Chester, Lingfield, Leopardstown and Longchamp, produced some decent winners. However, none threw up a performance that smacked you between the eyes, saying 'This will win the Derby.'
Hans Holbein took the Chester Vase by a length and three-quarters to put his credentials forward, but you suspect there are better Epsom prospects in the Ballydoyle squad. Having made that point, he is still worthy of his place in the Derby field.
Hughie Morrison's Not So Sleepy, the outsider of four runners, surprised when landing the Dee Stakes, scraping home by a short head from the well-regarded Disegno. But, this was no Derby pointer. The winner has been gelded, thus barring him from the Classic, and the runner-up may find a mile and a quarter his optimum trip.
Lingfield's Derby Trial also showcased a modicum of mile-and-a-half potential, though possibly on a lower scale than required at Epsom. Kilimanjaro came from last of five runners at the top of the hill at Lingfield to beat Magic Dancer quite convincingly. Mark the winner down as a true stayer.
Christophermarlowe came to Lingfield unbeaten, and with a win in the Epsom Classic Trial to his name. But the step up in distance could have found him out in the conditions. Being by successful American sire Tapit, he may well find himself shipped out to the States at some stage before the year is out.
So, that brings us to Sunday, and the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial, an Irish race with its reputation for uncovering Derby winners coming under threat recently. It has been 13 years since High Chaparral followed Sinndar and Galileo in a golden era for this Trial.
Success Days, a grey son of Jeremy, completed a winning hat-trick for the season when easily beating the filly Summaya. He holds an entry in the Irish Derby, and would need to be supplemented should connections decide to have a crack at Epsom.
Longchamp featured a Classic of a different type, with the Andre Fabre-trained Make Believe leading most of the way under Olivier Peslier for a classy win in the one-mile Poule d'Essai des Poulains, the French 2000 Guineas.
He defeated stablemate New Bay, who flew home late from the back of the field, to put himself right in the Prix du Jockey-Club picture.
Highland Reel, who had left a favourable impression in winning the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood last year, failed to quicken in the straight and was well held at the finish.
To answer my friend's question, 'Has the winner of the Derby run this season?'....it is very hard to say. Elm Park, the Racing Post Trophy winner, has not run this year, and he might well be a serious contender.
He lines up in Thursday's Dante Stakes at York, as do Jack Hobbs, an impressive Sandown winner in handicap company, and the Ballydoyle pair John F Kennedy and Ol' Man River. And, then of course, there is Zawraq, a possible runner in the Irish 2000 Guineas, whose grandmother is a half-sister to Derby winner Nashwan.
The Derby picture may become a little clearer after the Dante, but do not be surprised if there is still nothing conclusive.
