Yorkshire trainer Tim Easterby is all set to give the unbeaten Wells Farhh Go his first run of 2018 in the Betfred Dante Stakes at York tomorrow.
The exciting colt has made two appearances to date – both on the Knavesmire. Easterby’s charge won a seven-furlong novices' race on his debut last July and followed up the next month with victory in the G3 Tattersalls Acomb Stakes over the same distance.
The form of that race has been highlighted by the runner-up, James Garfield, who has won a G2 and a G3 since then. Now connections will be hoping Wells Farhh Go can make it a three-peat at York when he returns in this week’s extended mile-and-a-quarter G2, worth £165,000.
Easterby, who trains at Habton Grange, near Malton, feels the distance is just about the bare minimum for the horse at this point in his career and said, “He wants a mile and a half really. He is in good form. I’m very happy with how he looks. Basically, it’s his first run of the season and a stepping stone to the future.
“I never worry about them getting beaten. If you worry about them getting beaten you never run ‘em. He’s a very nice horse and has a great temperament. Ideally he’d want good ground, but I don’t think any kind of ground would bother him, really. I’m looking forward to it. He’s an exciting horse to have and we’ve had a few offers we’ve had to resist.
“He’s a very adaptable horse. I can’t see any track bothering him. He’s a big, rangy horse and he will improve as the season goes along.”
Betfred quote 50/1 about Wells Farhh Go for the Derby at Epsom on June 2.
Asked if the world-famous classic was on his mind, Easterby replied, “Oh yes, definitely. He is also in the French Derby. But the Leger might be more of a race for him.”
The Betfred Dante Stakes has been won by a Yorkshire-trained horse twice in the last five renewals. Permian landed the race for Middleham-based for Mark Johnston 12 months ago, while Elaine Burke sent out Libertarian from the same training centre to spring a 33/1 surprise in 2013.
The Betfred Dante Stakes is part of tomorrow’s seven-race card, which is due to get underway at 2.20pm with the Betfred 'Supports Jack Berry House' Handicap.