HAYLEY TURNER: The Big one has arrived! I’m going to Epsom on both days as I’m an Investec Derby ambassador which is a great role to have. Investec have invited me to both days racing with a lunch and they’ve kindly let me bring to guests so I have my sister and housemate joining me.
I’ve been lucky enough to have first hand Derby experience, I rode Caveliro in the race for Marcus Tregonning. Cantering down to the start was amusing as you canter past the stands and there is the most unbelievable atmosphere. The horses tend to relax more once that bit is out the way as it can be a little overwhelming for them. Then when you get to the 5f you can here the tunes beating from the dance tent and the smell of the BBQ’s going on the inside of the track. It’s only when you get to the top of the hill and pull up that the horses will really relax. From then on its just like any other day. It’s helpful to have a horse that can deal with such an atmosphere, the less energy they use worrying the better.
The Derby itself is a very open looking renewal. I’ve had a good look through and the one I like the most is Wings of Desire. He is bred to want a bit of juice in the ground but I actually won on his mother Gull Wing who loved it soft. I also won on Wings of Desire’s sister, The Lark, who loved it soft as well. I know the the going description is good however the clerks of the course everywhere will always say good but I can see it being on the slow side.
I’m not convinced US Army Ranger is going to have the toughness for this race. He’s still very green and while he will have learnt a lot at Chester, I would have been more confident had he won that race going away.
Harzand is another who I have put a line through. He looked too big and heavy for Epsom and I’d rather be backing him for the Leger instead!
Deauville is one that could be affected by the festivities beforehand and he will need to keep the lid on it going to the start as he got a bit on edge before the Dante.
All in all, it looks like it should be a really interesting race and I’m looking forward to the prospect of seeing another Frankie Dettori flying dismount shortly after 4.30 tomorrow.
Keeping the ground being on the slow side in mind that brings more of a bias to the draw in the Sprint. Last year the horse drawn in stall 1 won and came up the middle of the track. I only got beat three lengths myself in the same race and I was drawn 2. That was on good to firm so it’s important to remember that the slower the ground the higher the draw is better.
It’s the fastest five furlong race you can get as it’s run slightly downhill almost all the way so they always go flat out! I always loved riding in the race. Keeping it simple and staying out of trouble as best you can is the key to riding it. It’s difficult to get the high speed momentum back if you get stopped anywhere along the way. Humidor who had a troubled passage in the race last year has a great chance, partially with a very valuable 7lb taken off by George Woods. Taking that much weight off in a sprint is a huge benefit and Humidor is always at his best over Course and distance, which is more important around Epsom than most tracks.
Today, the Oaks is the big race and I’m not going for Minding as she’s such a short price. I thought she was a big disappointment last time and that makes it two pretty tough races very quickly and so early on in the year, that is a difficult feat for any horse. I know the connections mention she had banged herself in the stalls but I’m afraid I’ve lost my confidence in her.
It was great to see Skiffles getting supplemented. She showed plenty of stamina when winning the Listed race at Goodwood last time. That race has been won by Snow Fairy who went on to win the Oaks as well as Lady of Dubai finish 3rd in it. She is is more value at 7.4 and in a really good Oaks, I think she’s the one to beat.
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