Oxx keeps faith in Born to Sea

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Trainer John Oxx will resist the temptation to bring Born To Sea back in distance after he finished 12th in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday.

Famous more for being a half-brother to Sea The Stars, more than for his exploits on the track so far, he was beaten 10 lengths behind Camelot.

He was not given a hard time by Johnny Murtagh in the hope there are better days to come.

“The race was a bit of a non-event for him he just pulled too hard, even when the pace increased in the second furlong he still didn’t drop the bit,” said Oxx.

“He basically took off for three and a half to three furlongs, and that was that. Johnny wasn’t hard on him after that so it was a non-event, I’m afraid. If he settles better in future I’m sure he’ll run a good race.

“I think we’ll stick around the mile and if we do bring him back, it will only be by a furlong.”


Read more: http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/oxx-keeps-faith-in-born-to-sea-550925.html#ixzz1uSlqY8g8

Mickdaam does not need supplementing.

Glad it was a thrilling race anyway, AD....yesterday it was ONLY 5 runners, moan, groan, moan, yawn.

Astrology looks a star in the making

irishfield.ie

Trainer Aidan O’Brien today paraded Investec Derby favourite Camelot at a media morning organised by Epsom Downs Racecourse and Investec at his Ballydoyle Stable in County Tipperary and is counting down the days until the premier Classic on Saturday, June 2. O’Brien is chasing a third Investec Derby victory following success with Galileo (2001) and High Chaparral (2002).

O’Brien’s 18-year-old son Joseph will be in the saddle again at Epsom Downs and the trainer believes the Montjeu colt has benefited from his victory in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas.

Camelot is currently the 4/5 favourite for the Investec Derby with William Hill, Official Betting Partner of the 2012 Investec Derby Festival.

“The Investec Derby is the obvious race for Camelot and hopefully when the time comes he will be there in good shape. We are not going to do an awful lot between now and then, we will just let him go naturally,” said Aidan O’Brien.

“We think he learned a lot in the Guineas, he settled and ran through the gaps and had to fight. Joseph wanted to teach him a bit because we never had to ask him a lot at two, he won both his races very easily and hadn’t been off the bridle or shown the stick or anything like that.

“You don’t know about Epsom until you go there - you worry about everything including the day, the atmosphere and going to the start. He behaved beautifully at the Guineas and is very relaxed and calm but, as you would expect with a horse with that explosive burst of speed, he does have a lot of nervous energy in there.

“He kept on going when he was pulling up at Newmarket and I’ve not seen anything to suggest he wouldn’t get further.

“I don’t want to blow the horse up in any way but everyone can see he’s a very good looking and good actioned horse and those horses are often too good to be true. The Investec Derby is one of those things I wouldn’t even dream about because I’d be afraid to.”

Speaking about the fact his Jospeh is set to ride Camelot, the trainer added: “It’s been great for all of us, from the time Joseph has been able to walk he’s been in the middle of it all here - both the good days and the bad days. He’s a massive help for us and before he could ride out he was going in the Jeep with us.”

O’Brien is still finalising his team for the Investec Derby and he added: “We’ve got a lot of different options there with the likes of Astrology, Imperial Monarch, maiden winners and Ernest Hemingway, who is a beautiful big horse. He will go for the Dante on Thursday if the ground is good or better but it is doubtful he’d go to Epsom if he misses York. Whether the boys would let all of them go to Epsom, I don’t know.

“We haven’t won the Investec Derby in a number of years so we are very used to coming home every year very humbled. All these horses are bred and reared for Epsom and the Derby is the race that shapes the breed.”

O’Brien could have three representatives in the Investec Oaks and added: “Maybe and Kissed will go straight for Epsom and we could look at the race for Was, who we might run at Naas on Thursday, as well. Wading didn’t come right in the spring and I don’t want to force her so I’d be surprised if she makes Epsom.”

Read Ryan McElligott's horse-by-horse report from Ballydoyle in The Irish Field next Saturday. Online from 10.30pm Friday

LATEST BETTING FROM WILLIAM HILL, OFFICIAL BETTING PARTNER OF THE 2012 INVESTEC DERBY FESTIVAL

Investec Derby: 4/5 Camelot; 8/1 Bonfire; 12/1 Mandaean; 16/1 Imperial Monarch, Kesampour, Parish Hall; 20/1 Astrology, Main Sequence; 25/1 Ektihaam, Encke, Ernest Hemingway, Fencing, Noble Mission, Shantaram, Swedish Sailor; 33/1 Apollo, Athens, Mariner's Cross, Michelangelo, Mickdaam, Mighty Ambition, Rougemont, Top Offer, Wrote, Wrotham Heath, 40/1 BAR (EW ¼ 1,2,3)

Investec Oaks: 3/1 Kissed, Maybe; 6/1 Vow; 8/1 Homecoming Queen, Kailani (needs to be supplemented); 10/1 The Fugue, Wading; 14/1 Twirl, Up, 16/1 Colima; 20/1 Firdaws, Was; 25/1 Discourse; 33/1 Betterbetterbetter, Eternal Bounty, Fragonard, Hepworth, Lacily, Lyric Of Light, Reckoning; 40/1 BAR (EW ¼ 1,2,3

What a strange thread to reply to if you are of that opinion?

Aidan O'Brien's Ernest Hemingway will not run in Derby trial on soft ground

• Epsom hope scheduled to run at York on Thursday
• Tower Rock also on course to run in the Classic

Chris Cook at Ballydoyle  guardian.co.uk,


The Derby favourite, Camelot, clearly dominates the thoughts of his trainer, Aidan O'Brien, who spoke at length about the colt during a media event at his stables here in County Tipperary, arranged by the Derby sponsor, Investec. Those thoughts are recorded here .

However, O'Brien had time for a quick discussion of some of his other horses and this is what he had to say.

Ernest Hemingway Will run in the Dante at York on Thursday if the going is good, which seems unlikely at present. "If it's on the soft side, he won't run," said O'Brien, adding that that would also mean the horse was less likely to run in the Derby, as he would be short of experience. "He's a beautiful-moving horse and we wouldn't want to run him in soft ground. If we got nice ground, we'd love to run."

Tower Rock Outbattled by Light Heavy in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown on Sunday but may still take his chance in the Epsom Classic. "He's progressed well and I'd say would progress again. He's very like his dad [Dylan Thomas]. He's a big horse and he could be very much a possible for Epsom."

Wrote A disappointing third in the Derrinstown, for which he was the 8-13 favourite, Wrote might now be returned to a mile for the Irish Guineas. The trainer felt the horse lacked the necessary stamina for Sunday's 10-furlong race, so the Derby does not seem an option.

Other horses entered in the Derby O'Brien has 25 horses still entered in the Derby and was reluctant to suggest at this stage that any of them did not belong in the field. "All these horses are bred and reared to turn up in the Derby," he said. "The Derby is the race that distinguishes the breed, so it's very hard, if they're well, not to let them take their chance. But that won't be my decision. They're all on that Derby road at the moment and, closer to the time, the boys [the partners in the Coolmore bloodstock operation] will decide that."

Daddy Long Legs Even allowing for the ambitious nature of a tilt at the Kentucky Derby, this colt's performance was disappointing as he was pulled up in the straight when tailed off. "He was quick away but still ran disappointing so we put it down that he just didn't handle the dirt and we're going to bring him back to the grass. He has the option of the Irish Guineas or the Epsom Derby. He's a hardy horse who comes out of his races very well and seems to be fine so far." Note that he would have to be supplemented for the Derby.

Maybe The favourite for the Oaks, she was a slightly disappointing third in the 1,000 Guineas, won with an astonishing performance from the front by her less fancied stablemate, Homecoming Queen. O'Brien said: "She raced a little bit lazy all the way through the Guineas," but added that he was pleased to see she still finished her race off well. She did a half-speed piece of work around O'Brien's Tattenham Corner replica, led by Frontier, and travelled well. By contrast the blinkered lead horse required constant encouragement to set an adequate pace.

Kissed The second-favourite for the Oaks and a three-parts sister to last year's Derby winner, Pour Moi, she is unbeaten in two starts, including a Listed race at Navan last time. O'Brien accepted that her lack of experience is a concern. He noted in particular that she had almost no experience of tracking horses, having been led only by one on her debut and then making all the running on her second start when the plan had been to hold her up. "Some horses don't need a lot of experience because they're naturally intelligent enough to work it out quick and some need a lot of experience," O'Brien said. "She never came across as a stupid filly to us but you never know until you go there and Epsom is testing." Kissed also had a half-speed spin around O'Brien's replica of Tattenham Corner and also travelled well behind her lead horse, Cabin.

Twirl Will run in the Musidora, an Oaks trial, at York on Wednesday, whatever the going. "She's in good form. We think she has progressed from her first run."

Was This filly is expected to run in an Oaks trial at Naas on Wednesday and could then go to Epsom. "She's good. She was very well and we had her very forward and, would you believe, one day, the horse that was making the running for her, the shoe came off and cut her over the knee. That's what delayed her, she had to get four or five stitches over her knee. But she's back perfect again."

Wading O'Brien reports she is unlikely to be ready for the Epsom Oaks and will be aimed instead at the Irish equivalent. "When all the other fillies were there [fit and ready for the Oaks], you're kind of looking for an excuse to ease off some of them."

Homecoming Queen Having mimicked Frankel in making all to win the 1,000 Guineas recently, she will now try to follow up in the Irish equivalent. "We were very slow learning with her. It took six or seven runs to win and, when she won her nursery, she won very easy."

Up This filly was a running-on second in the French 1,000 Guineas on Sunday, beaten a length by the odds-on Beauty Parlour. "Up ran very well, I'm very happy with her, from a bad draw. We were thinking of maybe looking at the French Oaks with her."

After A running-on fourth in the French 1,000 Guineas, she may now get her chance in the Irish equivalent.

Power Finished 17th of 18 in Camelot's Guineas, when O'Brien feels he was unable to handle the ground. He will now be aimed at either the Greenlands Stakes or the Irish 2,000 Guineas, both taking place on 26 May at The Curragh.

Nephrite The three-year-old colt, beaten in a Guineas trial on his reappearance, will probably now be aimed at sprint races. "I just thought he didn't stay," O'Brien said of his last run, over a mile. He cited Mozart and Stravinsky as other horses he has trained who became top sprinters after failing to stay a mile. He might take in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot.

So You Think O'Brien said the horse had been rested since his reappearance defeat when fourth in the Dubai World Cup and would not be rushed back into action for the Lockinge this weekend, when O'Brien's Excelebration will clash with Frankel. So You Think will be aimed instead at the Tattersalls Gold Cup at The Curragh on 27 May.

Starspangledbanner The flashy chestnut was a top sprinter two years ago, when he joined O'Brien's yard from Australia. Having won the Golden Jubilee at Royal Ascot and Newmarket's July Cup, he was sent to stud but has now been returned to training after fertility problems were discovered. "He's only just cantering a couple of days," the trainer said. Asked if the horse could be ready for a run at Royal Ascot in mid-June, he replied: "It'll be tough but you never know. He hasn't been lying down for the last two years. All his enthusiasm is still there, anyway."

Two-year-olds O'Brien reports that his two-year-olds were coughing for a period of about six weeks from February and are consequently "a bit behind. They've been fine for the last month. We probably need to be getting them out this month. We've a good few entered this week. Hopefully if there's any Royal Ascot two-year-olds in there, they'll be in time now."

bar camelot this looks like a shocking derby field with p hall doubtful as well imo, camelot could well start 4/7

Cornelius Lysaght ‏@CorneliusRacing
#Newbury: confirmation #Frankel brother Noble Mission is out of the #EpsomDerby reckoning from Sir Henry Cecil

agree bit of a mystery

If he doesn't go then the pricing for the derby on betfair is all wrong. Very strange market ante-post.

5 day decs for irish 2000 midday today, see if hes still  in   , definetly wont run in both imo

How many runners in the derby? I was thinking maybe 11/12.

Bolger to supplement Light Heavy a possibility?

Just think it's a possibility now PH is a definite NR (definite by anyone's standards but Jim I guess )

No reason why he shouldn't run for mine, Jim likes to send his best to Epsom, not really had one good enough since New Approach/Lush Lashes (has run a couple in them I know)and LH already won a traditionally good Derby trial

Why not elisjohn? Camelot is a better horse than Power.
Its a bonus for him (Camelot) that Parish Hall is out as well.
Sorry for his anti-p backers tho, tough luck.
Camelot looks a shoe-in for the Derby nxt Sat, provided he handles that crazy track (Epsom) Roll on the Derby & i hope an impressive Camelot Victory (16s ew anti-p)
Go on my Son!!!

Thats my view mate, & prob with most punters, i would like to think.
Power was a top 2yo and has returned to his best 2day.
If u could choose to own 1 of them, who would u have??

David Lanigan refuses to stoke the hype over Derby dark horse

By Marcus Armytage telegraph.co.uk
26 May 2012

As the youngest trainer with a runner in Saturday’s Investec Derby, David Lanigan could be excused for getting carried away on a tide of excitement in the annual build-up to the world’s most important flat race.

After all, his chestnut colt, the tail-swishing Lingfield Trial winner Main Sequence, is unbeaten in four starts. Along with the red-hot favourite Camelot, he is one of the few horses who will go into this year’s race with an unblemished record.

But Lanigan, 36, who has made a flying start to his first season in Lambourn with a 30 per cent winners-to-runners ratio, confesses to being a “born pessimist”. His view is that most horses were put on this earth with the sole purpose of making idiots of their trainers and, if anyone is going to hype the colt and set him up for a metaphorical fall, it is certainly not his trainer.

“The horse has put himself in the race, all we can do is get him there in the best shape,” he said during a tour of afternoon stables at Kingsdown, the beautifully restored yard from where the 50-1 Snow Knight upset that year’s Guineas winner, Nonoalco, to win the 1974 Derby.

“Racing’s the best leveller in the world, please God we get there, and then we can see what happens,” he added. “He’s won a legitimate trial, proved he stays a mile and a half and it’s great to have a runner in the race for the Niarchos family but my feeling is that Camelot is the one to beat.”

The trainer is the son of the respected Irish vet Bob Lanigan, who owns Tullamaine Castle Stud in Tipperary but was general manager of Coolmore for 25 years. As a schoolboy and at college that was a handy connection. Lanigan rode out for Vincent O’Brien, John Oxx and Edward O’Grady.

“I loved it,” he said. “If my father hadn’t pulled me out of it and sent me to America I’d probably still be with Edward, one tooth left in my head, looking forward to the next point-to-point on Sunday. Training always scared me a bit because you see so many fail at it.”

A short stint in Kentucky turned into five years before he returned to join Henry Cecil. People were telling Lanigan not to go because Cecil’s career seemed to be in an interminable decline.

But, for the first two of his five years there and as the numbers in the yard plummeted to only 40, Cecil left no stone unturned and no expert unasked in his quest to find the source of a constant bug that seemed to ail his string.

Contrary to the advice he had been given, there never was a better time to learn from the master. When Lanigan decided to set up by himself, Light Shift had won the Oaks and Cecil was already halfway back up the mountain.

“He taught me to always take the positive out of a situation: he knew what people were saying behind his back,” Lanigan recalled. And patience. Even then he was prepared to give his horses time.”

After four seasons in Newmarket, Lanigan’s next big decision was to accept Bjorn Nielsen’s invitation to train at Kingsdown. “I was renting a nice yard in Newmarket but it had nothing like the facilities this place has,” explained Lanigan, whose wife and secretary, Amy, is expecting their second child a few days after the Derby.

To win a Derby in his first season at Kingsdown would be almost beyond the realms of fantasy but plenty of experts are putting up Main Sequence as this year’s Derby dark horse. His route there has not been exactly conventional – winning a handicap and, then, the first ever Derby trial run on the all-weather – but he is battle-hardened and the upper reaches of his ability remain, as yet, unexplored.

@Unclepuncle, agree looks a very weak derby in terms of number of real chances. Main sequence to me had the look of bullet train a few years back, can't see him being good enough to win the derby. Agree that IM is the likely shortner if he is a confirmed runner, still so many potential non-runners in the market. Hopefully at 12pm today things will be a little clearer.

just put this up on h/ racing forum, how was oaks decs saturday, and the derby is today?

that what i thought to start with, but like jimnast said on the other thread, tuesday decs are made sundays