THE ROAD TO
THE CAZOO DERBY
MOHAAFETH The Betfair Newmarket Stakes Newmarket Saturday 1st May
HURRICANE LANE The Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes York Thursday 13th May
Despite having just a Newmarket handicap victory from a mark of 85 to his name as a career highlight, the William Haggas-trained colt took the step up to Listed level in his stride and forced himself into the Cazoo Derby reckoning. Five lengths was the winning margin at the line and this son of the great Frankel could well still have plenty more to come - he’s an exciting contender that’s for sure.
The Dante is always a high-class Cazoo Derby trial and this year’s renewal could well have produced a horse who has it in him to go very close in the big one this afternoon. Hurricane Lane emerged victorious for the Godolphin team and Charlie Appleby, showing a turn of foot and a superb attitude under William Buick to fend of the smart Megallan and the late-closing High Definition.
BOLSHOI BALLET The Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Leopardstown Sunday 9th May
THIRD REALM The Novibet Derby Trial Stakes Lingfield Park Saturday 8th May
In perhaps the most impressive effort so far from a Cazoo Derby contender, Bolshoi Ballet blew away his high-class competition for the all-conquering Aidan O’Brien team. Nudged to lead three furlongs from home by Ryan Moore, the son of Galileo quickened smartly and stayed on well over the ten furlong trip to put six lengths between him and the field at the line. If he stays these extra two furlongs, a performance like that will see him go very close this afternoon.
Lingfield’s Derby Trial has thrown up winners of the Cazoo Derby in recent years, such as Anthony Van Dyck in 2019, and Third Realm was an impressive winner of this year’s renewal for the Roger Varian team. Coming from last to first, theson of the great Sea The Stars showed a nice turn of foot and plenty of stamina to get the better of Godolphin’s Adayar, who was a close third in the Sandown Park Classic Trial on his previous start.
