If Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning were delighted with Trading Leather's impressive victory in yesterday's Curragh feature, their delight was surely shared by track authorities eager to 'big-up' the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby with just 19 days to go.
That Aidan O’Brien has an Epsom Derby winner dominating the betting for Ireland’s premier Classic is no surprise but as yet Ruler Of The World isn’t an overwhelming favourite in the mould of O’Brien’s three previous Epsom heroes who subsequently doubled up at the Curragh.
Galileo, High Chaparral and Camelot last year all scored at very short odds-on in comparative solos that were supreme in terms of quality but hardly stirred the public consciousness in terms of competition. The same comment could also apply to O'Brien's own unparalleled domination of the Irish Derby – the champion trainer having won the last seven, and ten overall and more than once sweeping the placings too.
Cribbing about a Coolmore monopoly is as futile as taking them on at home at the end of June often is, but with the Epsom runner-up Libertarian set to be supplemented into the Curragh race, the Epsom third Galileo Rock still in contention too, and Sugar Boy representing a 'wild-card' element, a solo for Ruler Of The World doesn't seem likely – at least not in the pre-race PR.
O'Brien's weekend declaration that Ruler Of The World is very much his mainstay hope of an 11th Derby success also means the complexion of the race also won't be resolutely Coolmore either and Trading Leather looks to have put himself in the mix too with a resounding victory in yesterday's TRM Silver Stakes.
'Good show'
Runner-up to Libertarian in the Dante, and third to Magician in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, Trading Leather relished the fast ground conditions to repel Ruler Of The World's stable-companions, Lines Of Battle and Kingston Jamaica, by three and a half lengths and indicated a mile and a half could bring more.
“I was expecting a good show but you can never be sure. There’s nothing easy out there,” said Bolger who also won the juvenile maiden with Freedom Square. “It was a good effort in the Irish Guineas as the trip was short of his best. All going well, he’ll be back for the Irish Derby.”
Trading Leather was cut to 6/1 by most bookmakers for the Derby, for which Ruler Of The World also tightened yesterday to a general 5/4.
Pre-race hopes that Zand might step up to Classic standard too were unfounded. John Oxx’s colt was under pressure on the turn-in and finished out of the money.
Before the Derby, Irish eyes will focus on Royal Ascot next week and Bolger confirmed that Rehn’s Nest, placed in the Irish Guineas, will take her chance in the Coronation Stakes while another filly, We’ll Go Walking, is a possible for the Ribblesdale.
David Wachman may be doubly represented at Ascot by Duntle in the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes and Hint Of A Tint in the Sandringham. The Co Tipperary trainer is in form too as Royal Empress' maiden success proved. "She was Group placed last year so it's nearly all done now after that. She'll run in Stakes races," said Wachman who reported of Galileo Rock: "He's in the Irish Derby and has other options too."
