Several Classic candidates for the upcoming G1 Cazoo Derby and G1 Cazoo Oaks on June 5 and June 4, respectively, took spins around Epsom Downs Racecourse on Monday morning. Derby colts One Ruler (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), representing Godolphin and Charlie Appleby and Ed Dunlop's listed winner and 'TDN Rising Star' John Leeper (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) were first-time visitors to the fabled course.
The former, who won the G3 Emirates Autumn S. last October next ran second in the G1 Vertem Futurity Trophy S. to Saturday's G1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas winner Mac Swiney (Ire) (New Approach {Aus}). He was sixth in the G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 1.
“I was very pleased with what I saw there,” said Appleby, who won the 2018 Derby with Masar (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}), of the colt's gallop. “He is a naturally balanced horse but he hasn't encountered anything like that before.
“The first couple or three furlongs he was taking James [Doyle] on a bit. We already had it in our mindset that we were going to come straight from the Guineas to the Derby. We felt that bringing him would ensure we wouldn't be going into The Derby too fresh–that was the main objective of the exercise and I was delighted with what I saw there.
“He is a horse that has form on soft ground so these conditions weren't going to worry us. He has moved well on the track and picked up well up the straight there. Visually, I don't think you could be any happier with what we saw really. If the race was 10 furlongs you would be delighted. It is going to be a big question mark the mile and a half, there is no doubt about it.”
Appleby also revealed that Doyle would be aboard the colt in the Derby, with G2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante S. hero Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) the choice of William Buick.
“William [Buick] had the choice of them and we spoke about it,” Appleby added. “Without putting too much pressure on William I said it would be helpful from the team's point of view to make a call as it gives James the chance to ride him here if he is going to be riding him in the Derby. William said it is not very often that you get the chance to ride a Dante winner in the Derby so his mind was firmly set on staying with Hurricane Lane and therefore James is first man to be jumping up on One Ruler.
“I'm delighted with Hurricane Lane. As you saw at York he is one of those characters that is very laid back. He just goes about his business but he has come out of the race very well and I'm looking forward to getting him here.”
Dunlop Pleased With John Leeper
Anamoine Limited homebred John Leeper ran fourth in his Doncaster debut last September, but resurfaced with a smart novice win at Newcastle on Apr. 30. The son of G1 Oaks heroine Snow Fairy (Ire) (Intikhab) made it two on the bounce with a 1 3/4-length win in the Listed Betway Fairway S. at Newmarket on May 15 and is named for trainer Ed Dunlop's late father John. The colt will be ridden by Adam Kirby in the Blue Riband.
Ed Dunlop said, “We were never going to do too much whether the ground was nice or not as he only the weekend before last. This was about bringing him to get a bit more experience with Adam [Kirby] on him. The ground was very soft, almost heavy but he looked to enjoy himself.
“He is an inexperienced horse but what I was pleased to see today was that he has been very relaxed doing the whole thing. He is not a baby but everything was new to him today. I was thrilled with the way he behaved and he wasn't keen going down the hill which was good as they were only going slowly.
“We will just keep him fit, healthy and sound leading up to the race and the rest will be up to the Gods. The trip should be up his street as his mum won the Oaks, although she was better as time went on at a mile and a quarter, but I'd be surprised if there was any problem with the trip.
“It is probably one of the more interesting stories of the race. Having a horse named after my father is very exciting, and it creates a little bit of pressure for everyone but at the moment the horse has no idea there is any pressure on him so hopefully we can enjoy it. Of course it is quite emotional as well and it would be a great day if he could go on and win the Derby.”
Kirby Also Aboard Saffron Beach in the Cazoo Oaks
Leading G1 Cazoo Oaks contender Saffron Beach (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) was also in the capable hands of Adam Kirby for her gallop and will be ridden by him in the Oaks proper. Racing in the colours of Lucy Sangster, James Wigan and Ollie Sangster, the Jane Chapple-Hyam trainee won her first two starts, including the G3 Oh So Sharp S. in October and then was second in her seasonal bow in the G3 Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn S. on Apr. 14. She closed to take second in the May 2 G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 2.
“She was nice and relaxed,” said Jane Chapple-Hyam. “She was on the right lead and you would have to be happy with that. She gets her neck down low and stretches out and I was pleased to see that. It was very important she was on the correct lead leg as when they turn into the straight there is a camber and it takes them down to the far rail and you have to be aware of that.
“I think she will get the trip, as does Adam [Kirby]. Her exercise rider thinks she will get it and her owners thinks she will get it. We are all in the same boat. Her breeding suggests she has to do to get the trip but all animals are different and she is strong and powerful and relaxed and well balanced. We are just here to give it a go.
“The race and the other horses won't bother her–it will be the crowds as she has never seen a crowd. We will put the hood on her. She has practised with the hood at home but I didn't put it on her today as I wanted her to suck in all the atmosphere of what we have got today as you have got the odd dog walker and jogger. I think she has taken it well.”
Added Kirby said, “We went a mile and she seemed to handle the track. We went a sensible pace without doing too much. When we turned in, she got into gear and lengthened all the way to the line. She feels quite well balanced. The ground was very soft but she seemed to handle it. I think she is best on a small bit of ease on good ground but saying that she has done nothing wrong there today.
Australia's Ocean Road in Action at Epsom
Qatar Racing's stakes-placed Ocean Road (Ire) (Australia {GB}) also stepped out on Monday. Trained by Hugo Palmer, the bay ran second at Nottingham when unveiled on Oct. 14, graduated in a Lingfield novice on Dec. 2 and was a close third in the Listed Novibet Oaks Trial Fillies' S. there on May 8.
Trainer Hugo Palmer said, “She has handled the hill well here. She just took a little look at the road crossing and Oisin [Murphy] just had to give her a squeeze into Tattenham Corner but she has run to the line and every yard she has gone the better she has gone which is great.
“It is very soft ground here today and I think she would be better on better ground but she has relished that. She seems to me to be doing what 3-year-old fillies can do at this time of year which is improve very rapidly. She needs to find 20lbs on what she did at Lingfield to win an average Oaks but sometimes that is the sort of thing can happen and that is what we are dreaming might happen.”
“She has got a lot to learn but I hope that she has learned and I hope that she has improved,” Palmer added of the half-sister to two-time GI Northern Dancer Turf S. hero Wigmore Hall (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}). “Her work last week was very pleasing and I was pleased with what I saw there.”
Mystery Angel an Oaks Possible
Nick Bradley Racing 27 & Partner's listed winner Mystery Angel (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}) is not currently entered in the G1 Cazoo Oaks and would have to be supplemented on May 29. However, the bay filly took a turn around Epsom on Monday morning and her effort was given a stamp of approval from trainer George Boughey.
“She is a very well balanced filly,” said Boughey. “I didn't really ask Ben [Curtis] to do a huge amount. It was more just to come and see the track and see how she came down the hill. She is a specialist at Newmarket where you have to handle going up and down. I'd hope she would handle it [Epsom Downs].
“I think the main thing we will be looking at is the opposition and see how many go there,” added Boughey of his charge, who already has 11 starts under her belt including a group placing and was fourth in the G3 Tattersalls Musidor S. at York on May 12. “The question mark is whether she gets the mile and a half. I think if the ground is like it is today we wouldn't be running, but the forecast looks good and if it comes quicker her best performance was on quick ground and in an open year we would probably like to give it a go. It is certainly not decision made yet.
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