The Epsom Derby (Eng-G1) was confirmed as the next port of call for Two
Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1) hero SEA THE STARS (Cape Cross [Ire]) as his
connections took stock Sunday. Following his 1 1/2-length success in Saturday’s
Newmarket classic, the homebred will tackle the extra half-mile of the June 6
blue riband, according to trainer John Oxx.
“We have discussed it and the Derby is the plan,” he told PA Sport. “When
things calm down we will talk about it again, but I see no reason to change.
There is a question about stamina, as there is within any Guineas winner going
to the Derby. The horse is in good form. He was fresh and well after the race.
He ate all his feed and didn’t seem to know that he had a race.”
Meanwhile, trainer Brian Meehan hinted that Royal Ascot would be next in the
agenda for Guineas runner-up DELEGATOR (Dansili [GB]). Having reported the
homebred to have emerged from Saturday’s contest without any complications, the
Manton-based conditioner was looking ahead to immediate targets.
“He has come out of the race in very good shape — he was fine this morning
and went for a walk,” he told PA Sport. “I will have a proper talk to the owner
next week, as they had a bit of a mixed day (Saturday). My instinct is to go to
Ascot now (for the June 16 St James’s Palace S. [Eng-G1]) and not go to Ireland
(for the Irish Two Thousand Guineas [Ire-G1] at The Curragh May 23), but we’ll
just have to see how he is.”
Guineas flop LORD SHANAKILL (Speightstown) will undergo a series of tests as
connections attempt to unearth the reason for his no-show on Saturday. Last
year’s Mill Reef S. (Eng-G2) scorer and Dewhurst S. (Eng-G1) runner-up put in an
uncharacteristically lackluster effort when 12th in the Newmarket classic.
“He seems fine. He ate up okay last night — his temperature is normal — but
obviously he ran a very flat race and it was disappointing,” trainer Karl Burke
told PA Sport. “With the benefit of hindsight, we probably rushed his
preparation after having that setback and he hasn’t fully recovered from it. We
will take a few tests on Monday.
“He is certainly sound, but he ran no race whatsoever. Last year, apart from
the obvious talent he’s got, he was always tough and consistent. He showed none
of the three on Saturday.”