[an error occurred while processing this directive] epsom derby 2012 /

Stone Of Folca Cuts a Dash at Epsom
02/06/12

1 Stone Of Folca 50/1
2 Desert Law 11/1
3 Catfish 7/1 Fav
4 Taajub 25/1
20 ran Distances: ½l, ¾l, 1¼l
TIME 53.69s (fast by 1.21s)

Stone of Folca came back to his best to land the Investec Specialist Bank ‘Dash’ for trainer John Best and jockey Luke Morris.

Stone Of Folca
© Folkestone Racecourse Owners Group

The winner of a Folkestone maiden early last year has been highly tried through his career, including when finishing 16th in the King’s Stand Stakes last June, but still started a 50/1 chance.

Morris weaved his way across from stall two on the far side and went on to score by half a length.

Best said: “If he was drawn higher then we would have had a punt but he was badly drawn in stall two.

“We have always thought he is a very, very fast horse and I told Luke to jump and edge across to the stands’ side.

“We have always thought he is quicker than Native Gallery. We will have a think about it but we might try the King’s Stand Stakes again with this horse.

“Gelding him may have helped but he was such a handful going out on to the course - he was like an untamed lion.”

Morris added: “If he had been drawn higher he would have broken the track record.”

The time was 53.69 seconds, with the track record standing at 53.60.

Investec Specialist Bank 'Dash' (Handicap)
Going: Good to Firm

Position	Horse Trainer	Jockey Weight	Starting Price Beaten Distance
1	Stone Of Folca J R Best	L Morris 8st 12lbs	50 - 1 Winner
2	Desert Law A M Balding	J Fortune 9st 2lbs	11 - 1 1/2 length
3	Catfish B J Meehan	M Barzalona 8st 7lbs	7 - 1 3/4 length
4	Taajub P Crate	I Mongan 8st 11lbs	25 - 1 1 1/4 length
5	Confessional T D Easterby	T E Durcan 9st 4lbs	8 - 1 1/2 length
6	Jamesway R A Fahey	Liam Jones 8st 4lbs	8 - 1 1/2 length
7	York Glory K A Ryan	J P Spencer 9st 1lbs	12 - 1 Neck
8	Vocational M Johnston	S De Sousa 9st 2lbs	33 - 1 1 1/4 length
9	Captain Dunne T D Easterby	Dane O'Neill 9st 10lbs	11 - 1 1/2 length
10	Fitz Flyer D Nicholls	K Fallon 8st 12lbs	20 - 1 Short Head
11	Oor Jock J P Shanahan	C O'Donoghue 8st 11lbs	50 - 1 1/2 length
12	Sohraab H Morrison	K T O'Neill 8st 9lbs	14 - 1 Head
13	Long Awaited T D Barron	Martin Dwyer 8st 6lbs	16 - 1 1/2 length
14	Diamond Charlie S Dow	Hayley Turner 8st 4lbs	40 - 1 Head
15	Courageous K A Ryan	Raul Da Silva 8st 3lbs	40 - 1 Neck
16	Living It Large E De Giles	J P Fahy 8st 8lbs	20 - 1 1 length
17	Judge 'n Jury R Harris	M Harley 8st 10lbs	10 - 1 3/4 length
18	Dickie's Lad K A Ryan	T P Queally 8st 13lbs	16 - 1 1 1/2 length
19	Bear Behind Tom Dascombe	R Kingscote 9st 2lbs	7 - 1 2 3/4 lengths
20	Arctic Feeling R A Fahey	P Hanagan 8st 7lbs	25 - 1 3 3/4 lengths

CONNECTIONS WEIGH UP ASCOT OPTIONS FOR DESERT

Owner Jeff Smith was thrilled with Desert Law’s run to finish second in the Investec Specialist Bank ‘Dash’ Handicap and he is now toying with two options at Royal Ascot.

“That was absolutely tremendous,” said Smith. “He’s in the Wokingham and King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot and we will have to think it over. I’d probably just favour going for the King’s Stand.”

Third-placed Catfish could now try and pick up some black type. Her trainer Brian Meehan said: “She didn’t quite get out when she wanted but she ran well. She’s going to have a good year. She could head to Ayr in three weeks’ time for the Listed Land O’Burns Fillies’ Stakes.”