Eminent Takes Epsom in His Stride

Eminent | Racing Post

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Given Epsom's Breakfast With the Stars event is a gentle opportunity for G1 Investec Derby contenders to be familiarised with the track's formidable cambers, it was certainly taken by one colt in particular. Eminent (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) was the most pleasing to the eye of four Classic prospects working in pairs over about a mile.

The G3 Craven S. winner, later sixth in the G1 2000 Guineas, was given the full raceday experience by trainer Martyn Meade including an overnight stay, and the Fine Equinity company was on-hand to provide reams of data for the team to process. Under Jim Crowley, Eminent seemed to finish full of running after pulling past his companion, recent Windsor handicap winner Solo Hunter (GB) (Sleeping Indian {GB}).

“I was absolutely thrilled, he did exactly what I wanted him to do, it just could not have been better,” said Meade. “He hasn't actually been away from Newmarket his entire life, so it was important for him to get used to a new environment, although he'll travel on the day to the Derby, and to act around a very unusual track.”

He added, “The Guineas didn't really work out well, it just wasn't for us, maybe it came a bit soon, but we're on track now and I think this is his distance.”

The avuncular Meade, also a successful breeder and businessman, will be saddling his first Derby runner at the age of 69.

“In a way you savour the moment but at the same time you also want to get on with it and get it over with,” he said. “It's a wonderful privilege.”

The morning, open to both media and members of the public, is a rare occasion in Britain to see horses being fine-tuned in full view. John Gosden used it two years ago to prepare Anthony Oppenheimer's Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) for Derby glory and will hope it works again for the same owner's Cracksman (GB) (Frankel {GB}).

Frankie Dettori, who slipped quickly into a dapper jacket for an appearance on daytime televisual wallpaper 'Loose Women,' had drilled Cracksman around Tattenham Corner, but he and companion Pealer (Ger) (Campanologist) had eased right down by the line.

Cracksman was pulled out of last week's G2 Dante S. on account of the soft ground, having beaten that day's winner Permian (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) in the Investec Derby Trial.

“We always pull up in the dip because you don't want a fresh horse particularly pulling up down a hill,” said Gosden. “He's run well round here, got pocketed and picked up a nice horse who was race-fit and streetwise, he's come on a lot.”

“It's a very open, competitive race,” Gosden continued. “Golden Horn was a very, very strong, legitimate favourite. We like this horse a lot, but he's a different type altogether, he's out of a nice mare [Rhadegunda {GB}] that was tough, she comes from a lovely family, there's the stamina on the dam's side, he has a long stride on him. A mile and a half is right up his alley.”

Godolphin looks to have a strong challenge this year, but time could be running out for 'TDN Rising Star' Best Of Days (GB) (Azamour {Ire}). He has not raced since taking the G2 Royal Lodge S. last September and, his stretch with Kidmenever (Ire) (Baltic King {GB}) looked adequate rather than spectacular.

“We have 12 days to the Derby, he'll need every one of them,” said trainer Hugo Palmer, who was nonetheless pleased. “He worked with a 70-rated horse at Chelmsford on Thursday and a 104-rated horse this morning and found it much easier today. We had a little bit of a setback [back injury] with him three months ago, that's why he's not run in a trial. While the Derby is the Derby, there are a lot of other nice races for him.”

A number of other connections were interviewed and Godolphin's chief executive John Ferguson sounded particularly keen on Permian, who is expected to be supplemented and currently represents Sheikh Mohammed's second-eldest son.

“He has improved so much, I think he's a horse with a really really big chance,” Ferguson said. “He's by Teofilo (Ire) out of Tessa Reef (Ire), that's the family of Miesque, that's a world-class family, and he's put up a couple of superb performances.”

Lingfield Trial winner Best Solution (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) and 'Rising Star' Benbatl (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) bring solid form to the table. However, another Dubawi in the shape of fellow 'Rising Star' Dubai Thunder (GB) caused even more raised eyebrows when demolishing a Newbury maiden last Friday.

“He has always shown to be a talented horse and has the pedigree to get the job done,” said Ferguson. “It's a big ask from an experience point of view but Saeed [Bin Suroor, trainer] knows the horse better than I do.”

Aidan O'Brien explained that he could field seven runners but shed little individual light on them. It is not “a foregone conclusion by any means” yet “very possible” that Ryan Moore will ride current ante-post favourite and 'TDN Rising Star” Cliffs Of Moher (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). For the Oaks he will focus upon G1 1000 Guineas runner-up Rhododendron (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Alluringly (Fastnet Rock {Aus}). Seventh Heaven (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is out of the G1 Coronation Cup and not back until the autumn.

The only contender for the fillies' Classic to be seen on the Downs was Cliveden Stud's Listed Pretty Polly S. scorer Horseplay (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}). She showed up well under Oisin Murphy against a stablemate who is certainly no slouch, Coronation Cup entry Elbereth (GB) (Mount Nelson {GB}). Trainer Andrew Balding is one-for-one in the Oaks after striking in his first season with a licence with Casual Look (Red Ransom) in 2003.

Kenny McPeek will make history when Daddys Lil Darling (Scat Daddy) becomes the first American-trained filly to start in the Oaks. Although the G1 Ashland S. and G1 Kentucky Oaks runner-up's flight was delayed, McPeek is already picking up new experiences including a taste of bubble and squeak, the vegetarian breakfast option.

“Kind of like hash browns, actually,” was the verdict.

McPeek will stable Daddys Lil Darling locally with trainer Jim Boyle and is adjusting her programme now.

“She needs to see the scenery, she'll get a chance to settle in and hopefully shows well,” he said. “Olivier Peslier is going to come and get on her, it looks like Friday, and I encourage anyone that would like to see her Friday and Saturday, we'll be out here.”

 

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