[an error occurred while processing this directive] epsom derby 2013 /

Duke Of Firenze Puts Rivals to Sword in Dash
01/06/13

1 Duke Of Firenze 5/1F
2 Smoothtalkinrascal 7/1
3 Dinkum Diamond 25/1
4 Fair Value 12/1
NR: Humidor (IRE), Stone Of Folca, Swiss Cross
17 ran Distances: nk, nk, shd
TIME 55.22s (slow by 0.32s)

Duke Of Firenze, ridden by Ryan Moore and running just seven days after finishing third at York, went two places better in today’s £100,000 Investec Specialist Bank “Dash”.

Duke Of Firenze
© Racehorse Photos

Run over Epsom’s downhill five furlongs, the fastest in the world, the “Dash” proved right up Duke Of Firenze’s street, although his connections were concerned he might be outgunned over the trip and track. He was bred and is owned by Patricia and David Thompson who head the famous Cheveley Park Stud in Newmarket, which is home to the horse’s sire, Pivotal.

Mrs Thompson is a regular racegoer at major meetings, but her husband had not been racing since the couple’s Hooray won the Cheveley Park Stakes three years ago. Little wonder the Richardsons’ stud director, Chris Richardson, said: “I wish Mr Thompson would come more often.”

Of Duke Of Firenze, Richardson said: “He was a bit unfortunate last week – he hit his head at the start, was quite unbalanced as a result, and then Ryan lost an iron and could never get into the race. We took a view that as he was entered here and hadn’t had a hard race at York he could run again.

“He was well drawn today, but I was concerned he didn’t quite have the speed for the “Dash”, because he could well be suited by six furlongs. He’s in the Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot and while we’ll see how he comes out of this race he certainly gives us another bow for that meeting.”

Sir Michael Stoute, who trains the winner, attended Epsom yesterday but was absent from today’s meeting.

Investec Specialist Bank 'Dash' (Heritage Handicap)
£100,000 added, 3yo plus, 5f, Class 2
17 ran
Going: Good, Good to Soft in places

SMOOTHTALKINRASCAL DELIGHTS CONNECTIONS

Although 7/1 shot Smoothtalkinrascal was just denied by a neck in the Investec Specialist Bank ‘Dash’, connections were delighted with his run and immediately nominated the Charity Sprint Trophy at York as his next potential target.

Moohaajim
© Racehorse Photos

The son of Kodiac was carrying a four-pound penalty for his recent victory on the Knavesmire but the three-year-old is improving all the time and Mike Prince, representing owners Middleham Park Racing, is confident that the horse will continue to pay his way.

“He’s run an absolute belter and we’re delighted,” said Prince.
“He’s the only three-year-old in the field, he’s had a stinking draw but he’s only been beaten a neck in one of the most competitive sprint handicaps in the calendar.

“We’ll see what the handicapper does with him but there should be plenty of options. He’s not in at Royal Ascot but there’s the £60,000 handicap at York for three-year-olds and that’s where he’ll probably end up.

“We bought him for £16,000 and he’s easily won that back for us. We’ll continue to have a lot of fun with him.”

Trainer Henry Candy was also delighted with the run of third-placed Dinkum Diamond and suggested that the Wokingham could be an ideal race for his sprinter.

“He’s run really well and I’m pleased he’s shown some of his old dash,” said Candy.

“Having always said he was a five-furlong horse, I’m now thinking about having a crack at the Wokingham. It could just be that a stiff six will suit him but you never know. We’ll give it a go anyway.”