Silences can often speak louder than words, particularly in the multi-million-pound world of Classic colts, where a word out of place can be very expensive.
Ryan Moore was understandably happy after landing his second Cazoo Derby trial in as many days.
He explained why the fact that Homeserve Dee Stakes winner Star Of India was less visually impressive than Changingoftheguard, who took the Chester Vase here 24 hours earlier, need not necessarily be held against him.
Yet the most telling part of the conversation came when the jockey was asked whether either three-year-old, each quoted at a double-figure price for Epsom, could hold a candle to hot favourite Luxembourg. Moore smiled. And said nothing. Which said plenty.
Dee Stakes: full result and race replay
Bookmakers clearly think they know the answer, with Star Of India a best-priced 20-1 after giving Aidan O’Brien his ninth Dee Stakes victory by just over two lengths, whereas Changingoftheguard (10-1) had scored by more than six.
But that more experienced colt had been able to dominate a small field from the front whereas the latest Ballydoyle contender had to overcome greenness and a less than breakneck pace.
“I wouldn’t compare them,” Moore said of the pair. “They’re slightly different horses. The horse yesterday was very impressive and the way this race was run you couldn’t be as impressive but he overcame a few things and won well.
“It was only his third run. He did it nicely because they didn’t go mad and he was still a bit green when he got to the front. He will improve. He’s a very laid-back horse and I’d say we’re only just getting to know what he can do, we’re learning about him.
“He’ll get better, there’s no doubt about that. He was getting to the line very easily there. He’s a nice type.”
Coolmore UK representative Kevin Buckley added: “Aidan thought he would improve for the step up in distance and he handled the track really well. Aidan thinks there’s more improvement likely to come.”
Dropping back in trip could be the plan for runner-up Cresta, who is entered in the Irish 2,000 Guineas.
Trainer Martyn Meade’s son and assistant Freddie said: “We were pleased with him and came here to make him try to do things the right way round.
“He had the hood on for the first time and settled a bit better but he’s not the finished article. He showed us plenty of ability and it’s a question of whether we drop him back to a mile now. He’s in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and maybe that’s something we could look at.”
Charlie Hills is thinking of longer distances for third-placed Sonny Liston, a colt as lightly raced as the winner.
The trainer said: “Going round this track will have done him a lot of good mentally. He was very green round the turns and lost quite a few lengths on the first turn.
“He showed a good turn of foot to come there with a chance of winning. He’s in the Derby and the King Edward VII and, although the Derby is probably a step too far, we’ll see what the owners want to do.”
Temple Of Artemis, a brother to O’Brien’s 2014 Dee Stakes winner Kingfisher, earned a 33-1 quote (from 66-1) for the Derby from Paddy Power after landing the three-year-old 1m4f handicap later on the card.
“I couldn’t be happier with that,” Buckley said. “He’s going to learn a lot from that. He was left in the Derby and that’s indicative of what Aidan thinks of him. But it was nice for him to go and do that in the style that he did it, he battled on well.”
Cazoo Derby (4.30 Epsom, June 4)
bet365: 7-4 Luxembourg, 8 Walk Of Stars, Piz Badile, 10 Changingoftheguard, 12 Desert Crown, 14 Eydon, New London, Point Lonsdale, 16 Buckaroo, Cash, Star Of India, 20 Westover, 25 bar
Read these next:
8-1 from 50: Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore unearth another big Derby chance
Cheshire Oaks: ‘She’s a big girl and she’s getting better’ – Moore taken with Thoughts Of June
Chester losers, Epsom winners: why Above The Curve and New London need not fear
fonte : Racing Post
