The turf
Derby tips
Robin Oakley
Forget some of those newer, glitzier, richer prizes to be won in horse races across the world. The one that matters is still run across Epsom Downs. The 'Derbywinning' prefix is what every owner, trainer and jockey still strives for above all else. Ask Frankie Dettori, who for all his worldwide triumphs has not yet ridden a Derby winner. Ask Sheikh Mohammed, who for all his multiple horsepower is yet to take the Epsom prize for Godolphin.
American owner John Galbreath was not the most popular figure in Epsom history. When Lester Piggott rode his Roberto into the winner's enclosure in 1972 after beating Rheingold by a short head in the closest finish for 90 years, there was virtual silence because the racing world had been appalled by Galbreath's Iocking off' of the popular Australian rider Bill Williamson. But Galbreath had it right when he declared, 'Anyone who doesn't consider the Epsom Derby one of the greatest sporting events in the world must be out of his mind.' There is one jamstick which matters more than all the rest. As the Italian breeder Federico Tesio put it, 'The thoroughbred exists because its selection has depended not on experts, technicians or zoologists but on a piece of wood: the winning post of the Epsom Derby.'
So traffic jams or no, get there if you can on Saturday. You will see not just a race but an occasion. The horse which triumphs over the toughest course in the country will have to demonstrate speed, stamina, balance and resolve to cope with the undulations and the camber, the hottest of competition and the buffeting of the noise from the big day crowd. Unless it is a very unlucky year, the big-race winner you will witness will carry the jaunty stamp of greatness, a glowing aura of excellence. He will be the champion of his generation, becoming the yardstick for the achievements of the others.
So who will it be this year? With Aidan O'Brien's Hawk Wing heading the market, I offer first some information not gleaned from the formbook. When Epsom's executive director Stephen Wallis went for his usual pre-race meeting with Charlie Cooper, the leader of the gypsies who traditionally gather on the Downs for the Derby, he was told, 'We have an omen for you.' Apparently, when the gypsies arrived this year two hawks were circling above the Rubbing House pub, close by where the Derby con tenders pull up after their exertions, and that was good enough for most of them.
The amazing O'Brien, still only 32, was responsible for the first two home in the first of this year's Classics, the 2,000 Guineas, when his Rock of Gibraltar beat Hawk Wing. He trained last year's winner Galileo. Now in Hawk Wing and High Chaparral he saddles the first and second favourites for this year's Derby.
Frankie Dettori's ride for Godolphin is Naheef. He has apparently been catching pigeons if not hawks on the gallops recently and pleasing trainer Saeed bin Suroor but was only 14th in the Guineas. The Godolphin second string is Moon Ballad, winner of the Dante Stakes at York. There will be much interest, too, in the pair trained by Mark Johnston in Middleham. The Scotsman, who specialises in buying moderatepriced horses and who has mopped up most of the Derby trials this year with horses which were not even entered for Epsom, is a vehement critic of the Derby entry system. But since his Bandari and Fight Your Corner have been purchased respectively by Hamdan el Maktoum and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, two members of the Dubai ruling family, they have each been supplemented for the race at a cost of £90,000. Bandari won the Lingfield Derby Trial by 13 lengths and Fight Your Corner took the Chester Vase.
Coshocton, trained by Michael Jarvis, impressed some when winning the Predominate Stakes at Goodwood and should handle the Epsom track, Local hope is the Terry Mills-trained Where Or When, the horse which champion jockey Kieren Fallon rejected when offered the chance of riding Aidan O'Brien's third string Louisville.
The essential question to be determined is whether Hawk Wing, who undoubtedly has the speed and the class to win a Derby, will stay the distance. His sire, Woodman, is not famous for getting 12-furlong horses but I am content to go with those judges who say he has more the look of his dam La Lorgnette, who proved her stamina in a Canadian racing career and who was the daughter of a French Derby winner. I am therefore going with the gypsies and taking Hawk Wing to swoop late and win from Bandari and Coshocton, who looks a nicepriced each way chance at 25-1.
If you are reading this before the Oaks, in the fillies classic I am splitting my stake each way on Esloob and Fragrant View. But I have probably burned up all my luck for the moment. If anybody saw a demented-looking figure at Kempton last Saturday dancing a jig after Kieron Fallon had brought home Averted View at the winner of the Stan James Handicap, it was your correspondent celebrating his fifth winner of the day. Yes, the fifth after Coconut Penang, The Trader, Hero's Journey and Cd Flyer. It was a day to treasure. Sadly, the central heating and hot-water system went on Sunday and at bank holiday emergency plumbing rates that was the end of that windfall. It was nice, though, while it lasted.
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