Irish master odds-on for classic
The Age
Friday June 5, 2009
THE Derby at Epsom is perhaps the most famous horse race in the world, but the shortest-priced English runner in this weekend's classic is Godolphin's Kite Wood, at about 20-1.If you thought Gai Waterhouse dominates Golden Slippers when she has three or four runners, or Bart Cummings has an unfair hand in the Melbourne Cup when he saddles up two or three starters, then think again.Irish wonder trainer Aidan O'Brien will supply no fewer than six of the field for the renewal of the 2400metre classic at the switchback Downs course near London in the early hours of Sunday (Melbourne time).And the Tipperary handler is an unbelievable 1-2 ($1.50) favourite to train the winner.British oddsmakers make an Irish-trained win 1-12 (about $1.08) and offer 6-1 about any of the five English horses taking the spoils.O'Brien is a skinny 5-1 to train the derby trifecta.His colt, Fame And Glory, an impressive winner of a derby trial in Ireland last start, had been the favourite but that honour has since been bestowed upon Rip Van Winkle, whom O'Brien's No. 1 jockey, Johnny Murtagh, has chosen to partner.Rip Van Winkle ran fourth in the English 2000 Guineas behind one of his derby rivals, another Irish-trained galloper, Sea The Stars (he is in the care of Curragh trainer John Oxx), and the Murtagh factor has resulted in him being backed into 9-2 ($5.50) with English bookies, with more support expected to follow.But punters should be wary. O'Brien often attacks major races with a big representation, and often it is the stable outsider who gets up. The value may be with Black Bear Island, an impressive winner of the best trial in England, the Dante Stakes, last time out.He will be partnered by English champion jockey Ryan Moore, a rare riding engagement for the stable.
© 2009 The Age
