Derby, Oaks contenders work at Epsom

Trainer John Gosden sent out two of his Epsom Derby (Eng-G1) contenders,

favorite Golden Horn (Cape Cross) and Jack Hobbs (Halling), for a spin around

the Derby course at Epsom's "Breakfast With The Stars" Tuesday, and Gosden said

he was "happy" with the Dante S. (Eng-G2) one-two after watching each of them

train with a lead horse.

"I was very happy with them," the conditioner said. "They relaxed well and

moved well down the hill. It was just a breezy piece of work. They are young

horses and it was a good experience for them to feel their way around the track.

It is a peculiar track and it is something that you can't rehearse at home. They

will do a piece of work at the weekend and then we will be where we want to be

with them."

Both Gosden runners have stamina questions to answer, but the trainer

expressed confidence.

"I am pretty sure that Jack Hobbs will get the trip and Golden Horn will

probably get it on account that he is very laid-back," he said. "That will help

him as, if it is a true test, he will need to see out the mile and a half. I

think it is an interesting race, even though people have made it a bit

one-dimensional."

Gosden described Golden Horn as "asleep" during his gallop, noting that

relaxation will help him get the trip, and jockey Frankie Dettori added, "Golden

Horn handled the track OK. He is a very laid-back character and he needs a crowd

to rev him up. He will be a better horse on the race day."

William Buick, aboard Jack Hobbs, said, "Jack Hobbs felt very comfortable

coming down the hill. We didn't press any buttons but he is still learning about

the game. Every step he takes is going forward. The ground was perfect for him

out there."

Last year's Racing Post Trophy (Eng-G1) winner Elm Park (Phoenix Reach),

third on seasonal debut in the Dante and among the leading fancies for the June

6 Derby, pleased his connections his racecourse gallop. Elm Park sat behind a

lead horse under jockey Andrea Atzeni rounding Tattenham Corner before

quickening in the lane to finish on top.

"I was pleased, and thought it was a nice bit of work," Atzeni said. "He

traveled well behind his lead horse, who went a nice, even gallop. I let him

stretch his legs coming down the hill and he cruised to the front and quickened

up well. He had a good look in front and wandered around a bit, but he was

entitled to, as he's never been here before."

Trainer Andrew Balding added of the Qatar Racing colorbearer, "The main thing

was to let him have a feel for the track. It was not a fact-finding mission. He

had a hard race in the Dante but, to my surprise, by the Monday morning he was

fresh and well. You always worry the first run back after a long layoff may drag

them back but he seems fine."

Elm Park leads an international team of Derby contenders for Sheikh Fahad,

which also includes Monday's German Two Thousand Guineas (Ger-G2) scorer Karpino

(Cape Cross) and Prix Greffulhe (Fr-G2) winner Sumbal (Danehill Dancer), who

would both have to be supplemented.

"Karpino has come out of the race in great form," said David Redvers, Qatar

Racing's racing manager. "The big shame is that the German Guineas comes about

10 days too late and doesn't really give a big enough window, but we will see

how he goes in the next few days. (Trainer) Andreas (Wohler) has talked about

him being a King George (Eng-G1) or Arc (Fr-G1) horse.

"It was the fastest time in the last 20 years of the German Guineas and he

was never off the bridle at any stage. To do that over a mile is quite

staggering, as he is bred to be a mile-and-a-half horse."

Redvers added Sumbal is unlikely for the English Derby.

"A decision will be made later this week and I would say that the French

Derby (Fr-G1) is the favorite at the moment," he noted.

Trainer David Wachman was on hand Tuesday, and he offered an upbeat bulletin

on his One Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1) scorer and Epsom Oaks (Eng-G1) favorite

Legatissimo (Danehill Dancer).

"She seems very well and we are happy with her as she has done nothing

wrong," the conditioner noted. Wachman said the 1 1/2-mile trip of the Oaks

should suit Legatissimo.

"A mile is as short as she would ever go, as a true-run mile sees her stamina

come into it. We have always liked her a lot. Last year she was quite big and

tall and we hoped she would maybe turn into a nice filly. She has definitely got

stronger since her win at Newmarket."

Ryan Moore will once again partner Legatissimo at Epsom, meaning second

choice Crystal Zvezda (Dubawi), who won the May 16 Fillies' Trial at Newbury

under Moore, will need a new rider.

"We have always liked her and she is a wonderful specimen," trainer Sir

Michael Stoute said of Crystal Zvezda. "We are now going to work on getting her

a rider and hopefully have that organized in the next day or two."

John Gosden was pleased with the performances of two of his Oaks contenders,

Musidora S. (Eng-G3) scorer Star of Seville (Duke of Marmalade) and Pretty Polly

S. winner Jazzi Top (Danehill Dancer), after they stretched their legs.

Of Star of Seville, Gosden said, "Although there is nothing in her pedigree

that says she will stay a mile and a half she is a big, strapping filly and we

were very happy with her today. She does not have to lead; she can sit second,

third or fourth, just as long as there is a good gallop she will be fine -- she

just doesn't want it to turn into a sprint.

"Jazzi Top is the same on pedigree and that last furlong here they go up

hill, but she is a real street fighter. Both fillies looked good together this

morning and they are two lovely fillies to bring here."

Al Naamah (Galileo), the record-breaking five million-guineas purchase by

Sheikh Joaan al Thani at Tattersalls October two years ago, also made an

appearance at Epsom Tuesday. The Andre Fabre charge, a winner and Group

3-placed, has it in her pedigree to win this classic; she is a full-sister to

Was, who won this in 2012.

"She is a fantastic-looking filly with a great pedigree and is exactly what

we expected her to be," Fabre said. "She is still big and backwards, but I think

she is ready for the Oaks. Bringing the horses over here for this is a great

addition to their training as these horses don't see the bend downhill at home

and it also makes a big difference for the jockey as well."

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