betfred.com Derby Trial Stakes |
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| Listed, Lingfield £100,000 added, 3yo only, 1m 3f 106y, Class 1 |
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| Saturday 10th May 2014 | |
1 Snow Sky 5/1
2 Hartnell 12/1
3 Sudden Wonder 6/1
9 ran Distances: 2l, ½l, 2l
TIME 2m 30.68s (slow by 3.68s)
Snow Sky wins the Derby Trial at Lingfield. A big form booster for Western Hymn, who he finished behind at Newbury earlier in the season.
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Double Bluff tried to make all the running and was still in the lead with three furlongs to go, but they were lining up in behind to challenge, with the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Snow Sky (5-1) making smooth progress to hit the front in the Khalid Abdullah colours.
Jim Crowley did not have to be too hard on him to run out a two-length winner over Hartnell, with Godolphin's Sudden Wonder making eyecatching late progress to claim third, a further half a length adrift. Aidan O'Brien's challenger Mekong River was a major disappointment.
Crowley said: "I've never sat on the horse, but I have seen him before. He wasn't doing an awful lot in front and I was impressed with him. He was in front two and a half down and he could have done with a bit of company.
"It's up to connections (if he goes for the Derby), but he's a classy horse and he went round here, so Epsom wouldn't be a problem."
While Snow Sky (5-1), sporting Khalid Abdullah's pink and green colours carried to Epsom glory four years ago by the Stoute-trained Workforce, is entered in the Investec Derby, his trainer was non-committal about lining up.
He said: "I was very pleased. He is very professional and he shows real honesty. He's a nice horse who stays well and he has a bit of a kick. He ran a nice race initially at Newbury when he wasn't really tuned and he's progressed since.
"He's got a lovely temperament and is very progressive, but it has taken him a while for the penny to drop. We knew the extra distance would suit and he handled the track very well. He could not have done it more nicely. He's going the right way and he has a great mind on him.
"Teddy (Grimthorpe, the owner's racing manager) has to speak to the Prince as he pays the bills, but I'd like to see the Dante Stakes before committing him to the Derby. I wouldn't want to jump now and say he'll definitely go to Epsom. It does encourage you, but we will sit tight.
"He's got the balance, he'll handle the track and he's got a great temperament, but I wouldn't like to tell punters to back him today. He ticks all the boxes bar that one."
Grimthorpe added: "I'm very pleased with that. We weren't totally expecting that. We supplemented him for the Racing Post Trophy last year, so he was always rated by Michael. He's quite a big, scopey type of horse, so the button certainly hasn't been pressed on him yet.
"I think we have to go and sit down and give it (the Derby) a consideration. I think in Michael's mind he had him as a King Edward VII Stakes type, but he's come and won that. I'm sure he will want to talk to the Prince and see what he wants to do, but it's a happy place to be in."
betfred.com Derby Trial Stakes (Listed)
£100,000 added, 3yo only, 1m 3f 106y, Class 1
9 ran
Going: Good (Good to Soft in places)
| Horse Trainer |
Jockey Weight |
SP Distance |
|
| 1 |
Snow Sky Sir Michael Stoute |
Jim Crowley 9st 0lbs |
5 - 1 Winner |
| 2 |
Hartnell M Johnston |
W Buick 9st 0lbs |
12 - 1 2 lengths |
| 3 |
Sudden Wonder C Appleby |
M Barzalona 9st 0lbs |
6 - 1 1/2 length |
| 4 |
Blue Hussar A P O'Brien |
R L Moore 9st 0lbs |
7 - 2 2 lengths |
| 5 |
Signposted A M Balding |
David Probert 9st 0lbs |
16 - 1 1 1/4 length |
| 6 |
Red Galileo E A L Dunlop |
Andrea Atzeni 9st 0lbs |
20 - 1 1 1/2 length |
| 7 |
Munjaz J H M Gosden |
P Hanagan 9st 0lbs |
7 - 1 Nose |
| 8 |
Double Bluff M Johnston |
J Fanning 9st 0lbs |
14 - 1 2 3/4 lengths |
| 9 |
Mekong River A P O'Brien |
J P O'Brien 9st 3lbs |
3 - 1 8 lengths |
