Over 220 people attended
today's Investec Derby Breakfast With The Stars at Epsom Downs Racecourse,
eight days before the two-day Investec Derby Festival commences at the Surrey
track.
Contenders for the two
Classics, the Investec Derby and the Investec Oaks, worked on the course as did
two likely runners for the Group One Investec Coronation Cup.
There were lots of
interviews with connections, conducted by Clare Balding and Nick Luck, as well
as news from Epsom Downs Racecourse.
Investec Derby,
Saturday, June 1, Epsom Downs
France's 24-time
champion trainer Andre Fabre brought Pour Moi to the Investec Derby Breakfast
With The Stars two years ago prior to the colt's Investec Derby success and he
is hoping Ocovango can replicate that effort.
The Monsun colt
travelled over from France and worked under big-race pilot Pierre-Charles
Boudot this morning. Ocovango, unbeaten in three starts in France, cruised up
to his lead horse Hidden Rainbow two furlongs out and steadily went clear. He
was nearly six lengths ahead by the winning post.
"The horse's owner,
Prince Faisal, was happy to come here after the last race in which Ocovango was
very convincing. He's a definite runner as long as he doesn't have any
setbacks," said Fabre. "The idea today was to show him the bend and
go downhill. It was not a serious workout but he was moving well and it was
very useful to come here for the horse and jockey.
"It was really
important to come also because it is very quiet in French racing but it will be
a lot more hectic here next week.
"It is difficult to
assess Ocovango's form but he is a Derby horse. He has a very good balance and
cruising speed. He'll have one day of rest after today and then just do regular
canters ahead of the race.
"There is a slight
doubt about him staying because there is a lot of speed on his dam's side but
his sire Monsun is a very strong staying influence so I think he should be OK.
He goes on any ground. The race is all about Dawn Approach if he stays but
everyone has a chance for places.
"Although
Pierre-Charles is young, he has been around all the courses in France and is
very experienced."
Sir Michael Stoute
revealed during a telephone interview that Highclere Thoroughbred Racing's
Investec Derby hope Telescope will not be ready to take part following a
disappointing gallop at Lingfield Park racecourse yesterday.
He said: "Telescope
has eaten up and is sound but we have detected a bit of soreness on his left
fore shin. I have just had a brief word with Harry (Herbert of Highclere
Thoroughbred Racing) and I think this horse will not be going to Epsom for the Investec
Derby.
"He missed the
Dante, had a bit of a hold-up here and there and things are not going right. I
think he is just telling us to back off for a little bit. He definitely won't
run."
Jim Bolger, successful
with New Approach in the 2008, is pleased with how the unbeaten Dawn
Approach is coming into the 2013 Investec Derby.
Dawn Approach won the
first colts' Classic, the mile QIPCO 2000 Guineas, at Newmarket in early May
and is 4/5 with Coral, the official betting partner of the Investec Derby
Festival, to win at Epsom Downs on Saturday, June 1 over an additional four
furlongs.
His trainer said in a
telephone interview with Clare Balding, the main Breakfast With The Stars
presenter: "When I said at York that the best trials had happened at
Coolcullen that was a throwaway remark - it was said in jest as they are not
the only ones to matter.
"I am very happy
with Dawn Approach. He has come out of the Guineas very well. His performance
in the Guineas was spectacular. And I think that is recognised by everybody.
"I couldn't be
happier with the horse - he has been thriving ever since. He is still costing
me - I would say he is eating more than he was before the Guineas.
"Because he settles
so well, has such a good temperament and so much class, he may well get a mile
and a half but we won't be sure until we try it.
"I will be leaving
the tactics to Kevin (Manning) but hopefully there will be plenty of pace
because we need pace to get him settle early on. We would be disappointed if we
didn't get pace and, after that, may the best horse win.
"I don't know by
what factor you would need to multiply the decibels at Newmarket by to
replicate Epsom but I am sure he will be able to cope anyway.
"I am very happy
with Dawn Approach and hopefully all will go well in the meantime. Kevin and I
know every blade of grass at Epsom - we have walked the track umpteen times and
we are happy enough about that.
"As regards the
competition, I wish them all well. I respect each and every one of them. I will
not be losing any sleep over them.
"For security
reasons, we are not divulging at this stage our travel plans - we do expect to
be there in time! I won't need security - I didn't need it five years ago and I
don't need it now.
"Of course I am
enjoying it. I have been following Epsom Derbys now since the great Sea-Bird
who happens to be the sire of the fourth dam of Dawn Approach. I am well used
to Derbys both as a racegoer and as a trainer and now as a small-bit
owner."
An international renewal
of the Investec Derby is set to feature the premier Classic's first
German-trained challenger in Chopin, whose trainer Andreas Wohler was at
Epsom.
The son of Santiago was
bought by the Al Thani family following his victory at Krefeld in April and is
set to be supplemented for the Investec Derby on Monday at a cost of £75,000.
"The horse works on
Sunday and if he is fine he will be supplemented," said Wohler. "We
wouldn't have done it ourselves but it was the new owner's plan when he bought
the horse.
"Chopin is very
relaxed and laidback and I have no worries about the trip - he needs further
than the extended mile he ran over last time. The faster they go the better for
him but I don't have a clue about the other horses in the race.
"We've been all
around the world for big races but this is something different. This is the Derby
of Derbys - it's the original and this is very exciting for German racing.
Chopin's owner Sheikh
Fahad Al Thani added: "After the horse won at Krefeld, all of our people
were impressed. I was impressed and David (Redvers) was impressed.
"There are a lot of
doubts about other horses staying. I think the horse has a proper chance of
finishing in the first four although it's a different thing to say that he
could win.
"The Derby is the
number one race in the world - the race you want to have a runner in. A race
too that you want to have a runner with a proper chance, which is why we have
not been represented until now. Everybody is happy for Chopin to run in the Derby."
Chopin's jockey Jamie
Spencer commented: "Chopin has a good attitude and is relaxed, although
all I did with him was to ride him over five furlongs in the wrong direction
when I went over to Germany.
"The horse he beat
by eight lengths last time was just touched off in the German Guineas on Monday
and if Chopin improves for the step up in trip he has a chance.
"I'm looking
forward to the race and he's bred to stay. He has won at a mile and that means
he has the pace to get a good position and he should travel. Then it's just
down to whether he is good enough. You ride the race to suit your horse, you
can't try and be in a set position, and you just have to hope they travel down
the hill."
Ireland's champion Aidan
O'Brien, bidding for a fourth Investec Derby success, is still finalising plans
for this year although Battle Of Marengo and Mars both look
likely to travel over to Epsom.
"The trials all
went well and everything is up in the air at the moment," said O'Brien in
a telephone interview. "Battle Of Marengo was always going to Epsom and
that's why he stayed at home in his two trials while the other horses came to
Britain. Joseph (O'Brien) has always ridden Battle Of Marengo and he'd be short
odds to ride him again at Epsom. The other jockeys should fall into place when
we firm things up - we have Seamus (Heffernan), Colm (O'Donoghue) and Ryan
(Moore), who has also ridden for us.
"Mars is probably a
definite runner, we said after the Guineas we would come to Epsom. We also have
Ruler Of The World, who also has the options of Royal Ascot and the
Irish Derby, while Magician and Flying The Flag have been
declared for the Irish 2,000 Guineas on Saturday. They all work individually
and so far are in good shape.
"Obviously, Dawn
Approach is a top horse and Jim has trained him brilliantly. He was a
five-length winner of the Guineas and wasn't stopping."
Karl Burke, whose wife
Elaine trains Dante Stakes winner Libertarian, believes the New Approach
colt has a realistic chance of reaching the frame.
"He's come out of
the Dante as well as could be hoped," said Burke. "He lost seven
kilos at York but has put that on quickly and we're very happy with him. The
Investec Derby meeting has been lucky for us, I think we've had seven or eight winners
over the years, but I don't think I've had an entry in the Investec Derby, let
alone a runner.
"It has created a
buzz in the yard but we're not doing anything differently. He'll have another
blow on Tuesday next week and that will be it.
"Like a lot of
people, I think we'd like the race to be a bit later on as he's not the
finished article yet. He's a high-class horse, he's guaranteed to stay the trip
and, if handles the track, I can see him running into a place. Then if anything
happens to the other horses, who knows?"
The rank outsider in
this year's Investec Derby is likely to be Ocean Applause, a 500/1
chance with Coral, but both trainer John Ryan and owner Bill McLuskey are keen
to take their chance.
"We like boxing out
of our weights a bit. You have to have a dream and if you don't you wouldn't
get up in the morning," said Ryan. "But Bill's had a Listed winner
here before with an outsider in Ocean's Minstrel.
"Everything has
gone wrong for us this year. The horses hadn't been well earlier in the season
but they are coming back now. This fellow won't disgrace us but whether he is
good enough I don't know.
"This was our
vision when we bought this horse because he was out of a mare (2003 Princess
Elizabeth Stakes winner Aldora) that had done well here,"
McLuskey added: "I
agree with John. He can pick horses well and it's a day we'll probably never
get again."
DAWN APPROACH 4/5 FOR
EPSOM AS TELESCOPE RULED OUT
Dawn Approach is the 4/5
favourite with Coral for the Investec Derby on June 1 following the news that
Telescope, who had been a 10/1 chance, will miss the premier colts' Classic.
"Telescope had been
well-backed for the Epsom Classic but the vibes weren't good following a recent
setback and his racecourse gallop yesterday failed to impress, before the
almost inevitable news of his absence was revealed," said Coral's David
Stevens.
Investec Derby betting
from Coral, official betting partner of the Investec Derby Festival: 4/5 Dawn Approach, 4
Battle Of Marengo, 7 Ocovango, 8 Chopin, Ruler Of The World, 14 Mars, 16
Libertarian, Magician, 20 bar
Investec Oaks, Friday,
May 31, Epsom Downs
Trainer Hughie Morrison
confirmed that he is set to supplement Banoffee for the Investec Oaks at
a cost of £30,000 on Saturday.
"If the wheels stay
on between now and Saturday then she'll be supplemented," said Morrison.
"She's never been over-expressive in her work or movement and, as our
grass gallops have not been up to scratch this year because of the weather, we
have never tested how good she is at home. She only ran two weeks ago at
Chester so we haven't done too much with her since.
"I think that if
you have a filly that wins one of the trials then you have to go for the
Investec Oaks. It's the most important race for fillies in this country. Kieren
Fallon is available and keen to ride."
The Lark galloped ahead of
stable companion Madame Defarge and their trainer Michael Bell is likely
to run both in the fillies' Classic on March 31.
"The Lark has come
on a lot from her run at Newbury, which we knew she would. She needs plenty of
work and will improve significantly for that run," said Bell. "She's
bred to stay and be here - she's a three-parts sister to Sariska. I've got to
speak to her owner Carole Bamford but I would love to give it a go and run. I'd
be keen to roll the dice.
"Madame Defarge is
gorgeous-looking, she has bags of scope and is bred to stay. She got squeezed
on the rail and was very unlucky when running over a mile and a quarter at
Newmarket. She's like Motivator in that she doesn't need much work. Tom Queally
rode her today and he won on her at Yarmouth.
"Both fillies have
to step up on what they have done but I think they are capable of that."
Jamie Spencer added:
"I'd had nothing to do with The Lark before today and not thought much
about her but I'd be happier and look forward to next week after riding her
today. She obviously has to improve on form."
Sir Michael Stoute has the
unbeaten Liber Nauticus in the Investec Oaks.
He said: "She has
just cantered in front of me on Warren Hill. She is stretching well and is a
fine, big athlete who does very little at home. She was very green in her
Goodwood race last year and she did well when winning the Musidora (at York
last week).
"She wasn't
spectacular or anything but that is never going to be her style. I think the
race will have mentally sharpened her up for the Oaks.
"We have a got a
good chance in the Investec Oaks with her."
Aidan O'Brien is likely
to have two runners as he bids for a fifth Investec Oaks success. He said:
"The plan is for Snow Queen to go to the Irish 1,000 Guineas on
Sunday and for both Moth and Say to run in the Investec
Oaks."
Ralph Beckett, who won
the 2008 Investec Oaks with Look Here, is set to be double-handed in this
year's race with Secret Gesture, Coral's 5/2 favourite, and Talent.
"We properly
realised what we had with Secret Gesture after she won her maiden at Newbury,"
said Beckett. "She's quite a narrow, light-framed filly and we hadn't done
a lot with her. But she's been straightforward all of her life. Look Here got
into a flap in the paddock before she won the Oaks but this filly should be
fine. I hope she's special but I'm not brave enough to say that just yet.
"She hasn't done
much since Lingfield but will work in the morning on the grass. Jim Crowley,
who has ridden her in all races, will be on board.
"Richard Hughes
will ride Talent at Epsom and he is coming down to us to ride her in the
morning as well.
"She has done very
well since the Pretty Polly Stakes, both physically and in her work, and if she
was my only runner I'd be looking forward to the race. She's well-balanced,
will handle the track and her pedigree says she will stay."
Investec Coronation Cup,
Saturday, June 1, Epsom Downs
The Aidan
O'Brien-trained St Nicholas Abbey is on course to bid for an
unprecedented third success in the Investec Coronation Cup next week.
"St Nicholas Abbey
is in good shape. He's had a day away and everything is good so far," said
O'Brien of Coral's 4/7 favourite.
Second in the betting at
9/2 is Dunaden, whose owner Sheikh Fahad Al Thani was on hand to watch
the 2011 Melbourne Cup winner work with Chapter Seven ahead of a tilt at
next week's Investec Coronation Cup.
"Jamie (Spencer)
was quite happy with Dunaden," said Sheikh Fahad. "He's a much fitter
and better horse than he showed last time. Obviously, St Nicholas Abbey is the
one to beat but, the way Dunaden won the Caulfield Cup, I think he'll give him
a good race. He is not a two-miler - he won the Melbourne Cup with his class -
he is a mile and a half horse rather than a stayer.
"He's been our
flagship horse for Pearl Bloodstock and he helped my brothers get involved in
racing. We set up Qatar Racing after that so we owe the horse a lot for
that."
Spencer added:
"Dunaden is a lovely horse with a great record and has done things a lot
of horses can't do. I presume it will be a small field and I respect St
Nicholas Abbey hugely but the boss likes a challenge and we'll take him
on."
Trainer Mikel Delzangles
commented: "Dunaden's preparation for the Investec Coronation Cup is going
very well. We came here today for him to have a look at the track and I think
Jamie (Spencer) was quite happy with him. Dunaden went well.
"I was surprised at
how well he ran in the Prix Ganay (finished strongly in third over an extended
10 furlongs) because the pace was not as fast we thought it would be.
"It looks like he
is getter quicker. His performance in the Caulfield Cup (12 furlongs) last year
was pretty amazing and he was quite impressive."
Epsom Downs Racecourse
Epsom Downs' Director of
Racing Andrew Cooper commented: "If we were racing today, I would
call the ground good and I'm pleased with where we are.
"I'd be very
pleased to start the meeting on ground like this. The intention is not to run
the Investec Derby on anything quicker than good-to-firm.
"We could have some
showers today then rain tomorrow and there is a mixed forecast next week. At
the moment, it is looking like it should be mainly dry with possible sunny
spells and temperatures of 16 to 17 degrees for the Investec Derby Festival."
Rupert Trevelyan, in charge of Epsom
Downs Racecourse in his role as Regional Director, London, of Jockey Club
Racecourses, said: "This is an international Investec Derby - we have had
the flavour of that today. Andreas (Wohler) saying this is the Derby of Derbys
and Sheikh Fahad saying the Derby is his number one goal.
"The Investec Derby
is the world's greatest Flat race and this year's renewal is building up into a
very special one. Last year was a perfect stage for the Investec Derby to
become even more international. We had worldwide media coverage and the media
interest this year is just as great
"Investec is just a
fabulous sponsor - not only do they understand what makes sponsorship work but
they keep us on our toes and spur us on to deliver the spectacle that we should
do.
"It certainly is
the best sporting day in the world as far as I am concerned and we try and do
it better every year.
"The Investec Derby
for 2013 is building up to be a great spectacle."
Richard
Harris, Head of Group Marketing at Investec, said: "We are very excited
by another nine years of sponsorship at the Investec Derby Festival. It gets
bigger and bigger each year and is a fantastic branding opportunity for us. Our
brand is all about being a little bit different - we are not just another
bank."
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