COUNTDOWN TO EPSOM DOWNS DERBY MEETING FRIDAY JUNE 4th AND SATURDAY JUNE 5th 2010

EPSOM DOWNS INVESTIC DERBY UPDATE


STOUTE’S MYTH COULD FOLLOW KRIS KIN



Saeed Suhail and Sir Michael Stoute teamed up to win the Group One Investec Derby in 2003 with the lightly-raced Kris Kin and the owner and trainer could have another progressive colt with the potential to land the premier Classic at Epsom Downs on Saturday, June 5.



Desert Myth carried Suhail’s blue and yellow silks to a comfortable victory on his racecourse debut in a 10-furlong maiden at Newmarket on April 14.



The Smart Strike colt could follow the Kris Kin route by attempting to win the 10-furlong Group Three Addleshaw Goddard Dee Stakes at Chester on Friday, May 7, before heading to Epsom Downs, while Saturday’s Group Three totesport Derby Trial over an extended 11 furlongs at Lingfield is also an option.



Bruce Raymond, racing manager to Suhail, revealed today: “It is possible that Desert Myth could go for the Dee Stakes on Friday or the Derby Trial at Lingfield on Saturday.



“He has an Investec Derby entry but his Newmarket win leaves him a long way off being a Derby horse at this stage. We will know a lot more about whether he is an Epsom horse if he runs this week.



“We were delighted with his maiden win and we think he is potentially a very nice horse. The second, Deauville Post, came out afterwards and won well enough - in a race he should have won - and he is nowhere near Group class, so Desert Myth will need to improve a lot on that form. But we think he will.



“I haven’t seen him doing anything spectacular on the gallops but Sir Michael would not have put him in these races if he didn’t think he was a decent horse.



“We are confident he will get a mile and half - we actually think he needs a mile and a half.



“Kris Kin came out of nowhere. He won the Dee Stakes and finished up one of the favourites for the Investec Derby on the day. You just never know.”



Stoute has won the Investec Derby on four occasions with Shergar (1981), Shahrastani (1986), Kris Kin (2003) and North Light (2004).



There are Classic clues aplenty this week. The Group Three MBNA Chester Vase on Thursday, May 6, is one of four Investec Derby trials this week, along with the two races being considered for Desert Myth and the Group Two Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown on Sunday, May 9.



Chester’s May Meeting also hosts the Listed Weatherbys Bank Cheshire Oaks for Group One Investec Oaks hopefuls on Wednesday, May 5, and Saturday brings the Listed totesportcasino.com Oaks Trial at Lingfield. The Investec Oaks takes place at Epsom Downs on Friday, June 4.



Investec Derby entries engaged in this week’s Derby trials:



MBNA Chester Vase (Chester)

Chink Of Light

Morana

Rocket Man

Ted Spread



Addleshaw Goddard Dee Stakes (Chester)

Azmeel

Desert Myth

Encompassing

Midas Touch

Morana

Prompter

Rasmy

Tamaathul



totesport.com Derby Trial (Lingfield)

Ameer

Azmeel

Bullet Train

Captain James Cook

Desert Myth

Don Carlos

Gumnd

Hot Prospect

Morana

Rasmy

Ted Spread



Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial (Leopardstown)

At First Sight

Cape Blanco

Midas Touch



Investec Oaks entries engaged in this week’s Oaks Trials:



Weatherbys Bank Cheshire Oaks (Chester)

Champagnelifestyle

Dance On BY

Gertrude Bell

Miss Miracle



totesportcasino.com Oaks Trial (Lingfield)

Ceilidh House

Eldalil

Bebopalula

Bikini Babe

Dyna Waltz

Golden Waters

Blast Furnace

Timepiece



For further information please contact:



Rupert Trevelyan, Managing Director at Epsom Downs Racecourse, on 01372 726311



Andrew Cooper, Director of Racing at Epsom Downs Racecourse, on 07774 230850



Johnno Spence at JSC Sport on 07860 583307



ENDS