Dermot Weld has already achieved what seemed impossible. The Derby is high on the agenda this year with the talented Zawraq. But does the colt’s naming pose another hurdle for the master trainer to overcome? No horse with a name beginning with the letter Z has ever won the Derby.

Whip crack away

One worrying possibility emerged from the two Triple Crown races in the US and American Pharoah’s bid for the Triple Crown. If Victor Espinoza delivered 32 cracks of the whip to win the Kentucky Derby, how many might he resort to if it’s down the stretch in the Belmont and the Triple Crown is “one furlong away”. Victor, don’t make it ugly.

That’s entertainment

Anyone who caught ATR’s coverage of the two big Singapore Airlines races from Kranji in Singapore last Sunday could not but be impressed by the efforts put into the pre-race displays. Different days, different cultures but nonetheless the lesson was - it’s a day of entertainment, you need to fill in the blanks and give the crowds something to watch.

Tattersalls Gold Cup takes top rank

There is a typical touch of irony in that as the Tattersalls Gold Cup is under threat of being reduced to Group 2 status, it has attracted its best field for many years, despite the fact that the Prix d’Ispahan is in opposition and will capture the French-trained contenders.

Castleblayney’s old refrain

We’ve missed the recital of that famous piece of Monaghan poetry “Ballybay for drinking tae…” since the passing of Oliver Brady, but fear not, it will resound again from a winners’ enclosure. Anthony McCann has just registered the name Sugary Candy for a filly. The Brady verse will live on.

TWEET OF THE WEEK

William Kennedy @WTKJockey

Thank u v-much Ryan ur feedback is very important to me, but I would appreciate it if u wouldn’t use such language

(Jockey Will Kennedy responds with admirable restraint and courtesy to twitter abuse)