Our weekly digest of recent international racing news
GB: Derby latest – Desert Crown new favourite as Luxembourg ruled out
Ante-post favourite Luxembourg has been ruled out of the Cazoo Derby – leading to a massive shake-up in the betting for the world’s premier Classic.
It was a topsy-turvy week altogether with regard to the Epsom contest on June 4, where Desert Crown is the new market leader after a 3¼-length victory in the G2 Dante Stakes at York, traditionally the most significant trial.
The son of Nathaniel will bid to give trainer Sir Michael Stoute his sixth Derby success. “His temperament isn’t a problem and he’s a very relaxed horse,” said Stoute. “The Dante is a good trial, it’s the best. I’d be very hopeful that the extra two furlongs at Epsom wouldn’t be a problem.”
Although Aidan O’Brien said 2,000 Guineas third Luxembourg would miss the Derby after the colt returned lame from a routine canter, Ballydoyle still expects to field as many as six Epsom candidates, headed by Leopardstown Derby Trial winner Stone Age and Changingoftheguard, who won the Chester Vase.
Derby betting (Coral): 9-4 Desert Crown, 11-4 Stone Age, 13-2 Changingoftheguard, 8 Piz Badile, 12 Star Of India, United Nations, 14 New London, Westover, 16 bar.
USA: Secret Oath set for Preakness
Kentucky Oaks winner Secret Oath will bid to emulate the great Rachel Alexandra and Swiss Skydiver by attempting to beat her male counterparts in the Preakness Stakes.
On the other hand, Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike will bypass the second leg of the Triple Crown – but runner-up Epicenter is set to take his chance at Pimlico on May 21.
Six fillies have won the Preakness in the past, while Secret Oath’s legendary trainer D Wayne Lukas also has six wins to his name. “Let’s put it this way,” he said. “The Derby horses pretty much all had a hard race. Her race was not hard on her.”
New shooters for the Preakness will include Early Voting, one-eyed gelding Un Ojo and Creative Minister, who scored on the Kentucky Derby undercard.
France: Torquator Tasso heads 86 Arc entries – including seven from Japan
Defending champion Torquator Tasso plus Godolphin’s Hurricane Lane and Adayar, who finished third and fourth behind the German colt at ParisLongchamp, feature among 86 entries for the Qatar Pix de l’Ac de Triomphe on October 2.
Dubai Sheema Classic winner Shahryar heads Japan’s quest for an elusive first win as one of seven entries for the nation alongside Tenno Sho (Spring) winner Titleholder, Panthalassa, Deep Bond and Stay Foolish.
Arc betting (Ladbrokes): 8 Hurricane Lane, 10 Luxembourg, 12 Adayar, Torquator Tasso, 14 Shahryar, 16 Emily Upjohn, 16 Verry Elleegant, 20 bar.
Full list of Arc de Triomphe entries
Australia: Death of former top jockey Rodney Griffiths
Multiple G1-winning jockey Rodney Griffiths, who rode more than 1,500 winners in Australia and Europe, has died aged 54 after suffering cancer.
During two seasons in Ireland, Griffiths won the 1991 G1 Phoenix Stakes on Bradawn Breever and the style he adapted during his stay was to become hugely influential on other riders when he returned to Australia. He was forced into retirement aged 32 following a horrific race fall in 2000.
Hong Kong: 1,400 wins for trainer John Size
Eleven-time Hong Kong champion John Size became only the second trainer ever to train 1,400 winners in the region when Joao ‘Magic Man’ Moreira scored on Seizing The Moment at a sodden Happy Valley on Wednesday night [May 11].
Only Size’s Aussie compatriot, the all-time record holder John Moore (1,735 wins), has trained more HK winners. “That's good, I'm very happy with my training career in Hong Kong,” said Size. “I'm very pleased with that number, it's very nice. I suppose I better keep working and see if I can win another race!”
Size, 67, has trained in Hong Kong since 2001-02, when he marked his arrival with victory in the trainers’ championship in his first season. The Queenslander currently sits second with 70 wins in this year’s title ace behind Frankie Lor (71).
Elsewhere in racing …
USA: Jason Servis trial date set for January 2023 More here
GB: Star miler Baaeed makes seasonal debut in Lockinge Stakes More here
Japan: Bathrat Leon confirmed for Sussex Stakes and Jacques Le Marois More here
USA: Tampa trainer Bobby Raymond dies from septic shock More here
GB: 66-1 Guineas heroine Billesdon Brook dies suddenly More here
USA: Stalwart Claiborne sire Flatter dies at 23 More here
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