The Curragh's G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby has come under fire of late, with a question mark being put on it in terms of overall quality by the European Pattern Committee as recently as 2014 when Australia (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) became the latest to complete the English-Irish Classic double against just four opponents. Irish officials will therefore have been buoyed by the announcement from Dermot Weld on Friday that His Highness The Aga Khan's G1 Epsom Derby hero Harzand (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) will take part in Saturday's renewal.
“All being well the horse will run tomorrow,” he said of the homebred who, if successful, will become the first colt trained outside of Ballydoyle to register the English-Irish Derby double since the same owner-breeder's Sinndar (Ire) in the millennium year. “He's been out this morning and we're satisfied with him. It's been well-documented that I'd have preferred another week, but the intention is to run. What he is is very tough and courageous, which is why we are even talking about running him. I'm satisfied he is perfectly sound. But, he's a horse who'll meet you halfway, he'll go more than halfway to meet you in fact and that's the big plus. The Derby is the Derby and these 3-year-olds tend to improve at this time of year, which is why it is exciting.”
Criticism of this Classic from the outside largely centres around the mostly regular overall dominance of Aidan O'Brien's runners, both numerically and in terms of class, and there is no escaping the fact that Ballydoyle have been its biggest supporters of late. In the last 10 editions, representatives of the esteemed Co. Tipperary outfit have made up 38 of the 91 total runners with 20 of those making the first three and on four separate occasions in the last nine years has O'Brien saddled a one-two-three here. Leading the charge to Irish Derby number 12 for the trainer is 'TDN Rising Star' Idaho (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who bids to emulate the stable's Dylan Thomas (Ire), Fame and Glory (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}) and Treasure Beach (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) in placing at Epsom before succeeding here. Under three lengths off Harzand on the first Saturday in June, Michael Tabor's colourbearer had previously been 1 1/4-lengths second to that compatriot in the G3 Ballysax S. over 10 furlongs at Leopardstown Apr. 10 and third behind Moonlight Magic (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) and Shogun (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) in the May 8 G3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial over the same course and distance in between.
“You would have to say Idaho progressed very well, and I'm very happy with him since,” O'Brien said, referring to his Derby performance. “Epsom was on the soft side this year, more so than I have seen it for a long time. I was very impressed with Harzand. He's a very strong stayer, and a big, honest horse that puts his head out and gallops all the way to the line. Obviously we try hard to win every race, but we know that can't be the way and at Epsom we were delighted for the connections of the winner. He is a very good horse.”
The master of Ballydoyle has never made any secret of his regard for this race and was keen to stress the point again on Friday. “The Curragh suits every horse. It's a big, galloping straightforward track,” he added. “There is nowhere to hide, and I don't remember many horses not handling The Curragh. Obviously Epsom can be tricky. It's a switch-back, up and down. It can be tricky and tactical, whereas The Curragh is usually very straightforward. The Irish Derby is so important because it's not tactical and it's pure ability. You have to get a mile and a half well, and they have to be very genuine. The Irish Derby is the vital test for a 3-year-old, and it sets the standard for all the ratings.”
Shogun could be interesting from the same stable and if he can make the jump up and win he would be following where the Ballydoyle predecessors Soldier of Fortune (Ire) and Frozen Fire (Ger) (Montjeu {Ire}) led in improving markedly on unplaced efforts at Epsom to provide glory in this race. Never a factor but denied a clear passage when 15th of 16 in the Derby, the talented colt has yet to race on fast ground so far in his career and gives the impression that he could spring a surprise one day. It is worth noting that Ryan Moore picked him over Idaho when he was runner-up in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial and he may have more to offer than last year's G2 Beresford S. scorer Port Douglas (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who was used to set the pace at Epsom.
Amazingly, the three colts–Port Douglas, Shogun and Moonlight Magic–who finished in the last trio at Epsom are in this line-up, with the one who fared worst being from the Jim Bolger stable. Eased off by Kevin Manning when out of contention, Godolphin's homebred was a major flop given the nature of his Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial performance. Bolger also saddles June Judd's improving Stellar Mass (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), who took eight attempts to break his maiden and was successful in Down Royal's Ulster Derby H. over an extended 12 furlongs a week ago. “Moonlight Magic probably didn't act on the track and he seems to be in good form,” his trainer said. “I know he has to redeem himself somewhat, but I'd be optimistic that it will go much better for him on Saturday. He's in good shape. Stellar Mass runs as well and I'd be hoping he too will give a good account of himself.”
Ronnie Arculli's Red Verdon (Lemon Drop Kid) was one who suffered interference when sixth behind Harzand at Epsom and has been ambitiously supplemented for this, as he had been for the English Derby. Trainer Ed Dunlop believes there is a lot to come from the impressive Haydock handicap winner in this more conventional contest and said, “We have a lot of ground to make up but Mr Arculli would like to see how our colt can perform when everything goes smoothly and we know he will handle the expected ground. He should appreciate the track and with it being a small field, we won't have the draw difficulties we had at Epsom. He came out of the Derby well and was eating and sleeping just like he normally does, he is back at his racing weight and he looks very well so I am hopeful he can do us all proud.”
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