HARZAND is marginal favourite with bookmakers to confirm his Epsom superiority over US Army Ranger should the two colts meet again in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby on June 25th, two weeks from today.
The €1.5 million race could attract the first four home at Epsom, as third-placed Idaho and fourth-placed Wings Of Desire are considered very likely runners at the Curragh.
Harzand was a fifth Derby winner for owner-breeder the Aga Khan. His previous four Epsom heroes - Shergar, Shahrastani, Kahyasi and Sinndar - all went on to win the Irish Derby. Harzand overcame a late hoof injury to win last Saturday and connections are closely monitoring the horse’s foot before committing him to the Curragh race.
Speaking at Leopardstown on Thursday, Dermot Weld said: “Harzand was sore for a few days and had some antibiotics to make sure everything was all right. He was back in light exercise today, just a trot, and is sound and well in every way. We’ll see how he is, but the Curragh is the logical progression as long as the ground is safe.”
Revisiting the drama of last Saturday, the trainer said: “We had a very stressful, very exciting day. It all started when Harzand pulled his shoe off at Dublin airport.
“I told Pat [Smullen] at the start if he wasn’t happy to say so. It didn’t matter to me if it was a maiden or a Derby. It was a long old day, with four hours of ice, but with the help of colleagues we saved the day.”
Weld was quick to highlight Harzand’s appetite for a battle. “He’s a lovely, improving colt and I think the quality and courage came out,” said the trainer. “He’s a very tough horse. When the challenge went down and the die was cast, that (toughness) is what won the day.”
John Gosden, trainer of Dante Stakes winner Wings Of Desire, believes his colt’s lack of experience perhaps played a part in his defeat as well as the easy ground conditions.
The Newmarket trainer said: “It was only his fourth outing and he has run a great race. We were unsuited by the ground – he wants good rather than good to soft, which has suited the winner and second better than us. He ran a lovely race and we could not be happier with him. I think the front four are very nice and the winner will be tough to beat anywhere once he gets his ground.
“The Curragh could be an obvious target for us – a lovely galloping track which will suit him better than everything else.”
Wings Of Desire was beaten five lengths in fourth with Humphrey Bogart a further three lengths back in fifth. The latter’s trainer Richard Hannon said: “He ran a super race – for a moment when they turned Tattenham Corner he looked very dangerous. There were a lot of good horses behind him. The winner is obviously a very good horse.
“Every time this horse has run he has taken a step up. Today he has taken a massive step up. I will look at the Irish Derby and Royal Ascot. I couldn’t be more proud of him.”
Jim Bolger is hoping to see Moonlight Magic bounce back to his best in the Irish Derby. The Godolphin-owned colt was a leading contender for Epsom honours but never looked happy when running downhill to Tattenham Corner and eventually came home last of the 16 runners.
Bolger said: “Moonlight Magic has been a bit quiet since, but there is nothing obviously wrong. We have done tests and are waiting to see if anything shows up.”
IRISH DERBY
Latest betting: 6/4 Harzand, 7/4 US Army Ranger, 7 Idaho, 10 Wings Of Desire, 12 Almanzor, 20 Beacon Rock, 25 Moonlight Magic, 33 Algometer, Humphrey Bogart, 50 Port Douglas.