GERMAN Derby favourite Quasillo (by Sea The Stars) was forced to miss last Sunday’s Group 2 Oppenheim-Union-Rennen at Cologne.

Trainer Andreas Wohler reported that his exciting colt had a slight setback in training but it is still hoped that Quasillo will run in Bremen this Sunday (June 21st). The German Derby takes place in Hamburg on Sunday, July 5th.

Quasillo’s absence from the Cologne trial opened the door for Shimrano, trained in Germany by Donegal man Paul Harley for an Australian syndicate. Shimrano is by Monsun, sire of the two most recent Melbourne Cup winners – Fiorente and Protectionist.

Carrying the colours of Australian trainer Lee Freedman, Shimrano raced keenly in the early stages of the 11-furlong Derby trial last Sunday and was in front under rider Adrie de Vries over two furlongs from home. At the post the winner had only three-quarters of a length to spare over Areo (by Medicean) but the winning rider only used his whip once and was good value for his win.

The ground was on the fast side and Harley believes that a bit of cut at Hamburg will suit Shimrano.

Ivanhowe won this race in 2013 before going on to Group 1 success later in the year and subsequently bought by Australian interests. Other top German horses to have won the Cologne trial include Sea The Moon and Novellist.

Also on the Cologne card, the Tom Dascombe-trained Crowley’s Law finished second in a one-mile listed race for fillies and mares. By Dubawi, Crowley’s Law was the odds-on favourite but Richard Kingscote’s mount was beaten by a length and a half by Ajaxana (by Rock Of Gibraltar).