Farewell Derby Race: In the 14-person field that has been declared for the Betfred Derby at Epsom on Saturday are Auguste Rodin, Military Order, and Arrest.
Although Auguste Rodin lost to San Antonio and Adelaide River in the 2000 Guineas, Aidan O’Brien, who also trains Auguste Rodin, has the utmost confidence in the Deep Impact colt.
Being a full brother to trainer Charlie Appleby’s 2021 Derby winner Adayar, Military Order is bred to win the race, and his performance at the Lingfield Derby Trial did little to dispel that notion.
An arrest is Frankie Dettori’s final Derby mount, so if he wins, he will garner all the media attention. The son of Frankel, trained by John and Thady Gosden, finished second in a Group One race as a youngster and looked the part while making a comeback in the Chester Vase.
In France, he sprinted on sloppy terrain behind the opposition Dubai Mile as the skies opened up over the Roodee. Although he will compete in the premier Classic under totally different circumstances, connections are optimistic that he will perform at least as well, if not better.
According to Barry Mahon, European racing manager for owners Juddmonte, “He’s a very good horse and at Chester it was just about getting him some more experience on an undulating track.”
“He had previously raced on the relatively simple courses of Sandown, Ffos Las, and Saint-Cloud, so Chester was planning to introduce him to a challenging, undulating track that he handled well.
“He then went to Epsom for a gallop, which he handled very well, speeding clear of his work partner, so he’s in good shape. At the weekend, he completed his last piece, which went well.
“There has been a lot of discussion over the track, but he won his first race at Sandown on good to firm, so maybe he will do well.
“He is a wonderful, large, well-balanced horse, therefore I believe excellent terrain is preferable for him. That’s what I imagine as I look at him.
“France wasn’t perfect; if it had been the final race of the year rather than the middle of the season, he probably wouldn’t have run on that ground because it was so poor, but we knew he had the winter off so took a chance,” said the trainer.
“He hit the front a furlong out and the horse of Charlie Johnston got back up and did him on the line. I think the ground just caught him out.”
For horse racing live, live horse racing, horse racing championship, horse racing daily live, latest horse racing news, Farewell Derby Race, live horse racing today, racing live matches and other horse racing news follow Livematchupdates.com.
