Irish Derby features rematch between Ruler of the World and
Libertarian
Elaine and Karl Burke could be on the cusp of something
extraordinary as they contemplate a breakthrough classic success for their Middleham stable
courtesy of the season’s surprise package Libertarian in Saturday’s Group 1 Irish Derby at The Curragh.
Highly progressive since his April 9 debut win at Pontefract, Godolphin’s acquisition upset some big names, including Trading Leather, in the Group 2 Dante at York
on May 16 before finishing runner-up to Ruler of the World in the Group 1 Epsom Derby
on June 1 despite not being at home on the contours of that venue.
“This is a colt that is making rapid progress and, like
Ruler of the World, is only racing for his first season,” jockey William Buick
asserted. “I didn’t get on him until the Dante Stakes at York in May and he was a real powerhouse that day. Karl had
told me he would probably hit a flat spot, which he did straightening for him but all I
needed to do was push him along and he came good soon enough. He cut the leaders down from two out
and was well on top close home and beat Trading Leather by just over a length on merit.
“When it came to Epsom, I think everyone realized that it wasn’t going to be a track which
would play to the strengths of Libertarian and that was right. He traveled well enough and
was just about where I wanted to be at top of Tattenham Hill and was just over a length behind
(jockey) Ryan (Moore) on Ruler of the World. But the race was won and lost on the turn in over three furlongs
out because in a short space of time Ruler of the World quickened and put about six lengths
between us and while he was balanced and running, my lad was struggling to get organized and was
edging left down the track camber and we must have been eight lengths or more behind with two
to run.”
Buick added, “If you’re coming into this race as the Epsom second, there’s a nasty
stat which says that the last Derby runner-up to turn the form around in Ireland was St Jovite
back in 1992. But my view on statistics is that they have to be broken at sometime. I
haven’t seen Libertarian since Derby day, but all the communication from the Burkes has been
extremely encouraging and positive.”
Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith’s Derby winner Ruler of the World arrives
in this spot attempting to provide trainer Aidan O’Brien with an eighth consecutive success in
this classic he has come to dominate.
“We have been very happy with him,” O’Brien told
PA Sport. “He impressed us at Epsom and we think the Curragh will suit him even
better.”
Also re-opposing the Derby winner is Michael O’Flynn’s Galileo Rock, who has 1 1/2 lengths to find on the Ballydoyle representative and
just a short head on Libertarian following his fine third on the first Saturday in June.
Previously, he had finished third to fellow Irish Derby rival Sugar Boy in the Group 3 Sandown
Classic Trial on April 26, where Libertarian was eight lengths back in fourth, so his form is solid.
“We went fairly steady at Epsom and a better gallop might suit him
here,” jockey
Wayne Lordan noted. “He seems like he’s improved since, so were hoping for a big run. He was a little bit
green at Sandown, but he came home really well over a mile and a quarter. A mile and a half
plus is what he’s bred for and The Curragh should suit. It’s open and five or six are tied in
closely together on form, so it will come down to who is improving and whoever gets the luck on his
side.”
Jim Bolger’s ambition of winning this race for a second
time after the aforementioned St Jovite in 1992 has so far not been realized,
but his homebred Trading Leather looked in need of this trip when powering away with the
Silver Stakes going 10 furlongs at The Curragh on June 9. Third in the Group 1 Irish
Two Thousand Guineas on May 25, he has speed as well as stamina for this test.
“The step up in trip should suit
him,” Bolger told PA Sport. “He seems in very good form and is looking very well. He’s been
eating well since his last run and put the weight back on. He wants good ground or a little faster.”
O’Brien owns 11 wins in The Curragh’s Group 2 Railway Stakes, just three shy of Dr. Vincent O’Brien’s
record, and holds strong claims of bringing up the dozen in Saturday’s renewal
of the juvenile contest, which kicks off the group action on the Irish Derby
undercard.
O’Brien’s Railway hopefuls is comprised of Royal Ascot runners Coach House
and Stubbs. While the former excelled when joining the winner No Nay Never in breaking
the juvenile track record in last Thursday’s Group 2 Norfolk, Stubbs had only managed a sixth-placing
when favored for the Group 2 Coventry two days earlier.
One who could upset the
status quo is the John Murphy-trained colt Big Time, who took a decent conditions
race over this trip in his May 15 debut at Naas. That form has been boosted by subsequent wins
of the runner-up, third and fifth. Murphy, who is best known for his accomplishments in the national hunt sphere, is hoping
Big Time can live up to his name.
“He’s in great shape and the ground should be perfect for him,”
the horseman told PA Sport. “I do think whatever he does this weekend, he will be a better horse
once he goes over seven furlongs. I’m just hoping the sprinting form doesn’t get him on his
head early on in the race.
“He’s definitely improved since his first run and his mind is
fantastic. He switches off and you can go in front with him if you want to. Shane
(Foley) worked
him last week, he was very pleased, so we’ll see it goes.”
No Coolcullen
representative can be ignored in these races and Focus On Venice beat Ballydoyle’s subsequent winner Michaelmas over
Saturday’s six-furlong trip in his April 14 debut at Leopardstown.
Prior to the Irish Derby, a field of 11 runners, including 140-pound top
weight Maarek, will sprint five furlongs in the Grade 3 Sapphire. The
six-year-old son of Pivotal enters the race off a ninth-placing in the Diamond
Jubilee last Saturday at Royal Ascot, but before that was second in the
Midsummer Sprint and captured the Woodlands to open the season.