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Epsom Derby can produce fairytale

AFP, EPSOM, ENGLAND
Saturday, Jun 05, 2004, Page 19

Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Smarty Jones. PHOTO: AFP

The late Robert Sangster was a larger than life character and today he could well have the last laugh as his silks are carried to Epsom Derby glory by Percussionist.

Sangster, who died in April after a long battle with pancreatic cancer, won the "blue riband" of the European flat racing circuit twice but the last time was with Golden Fleece back in 1982.

But Percussionist represents a great chance to produce a fairytale story.

In what looks like one of the most open Derby's in recent years, his 10-length victory in the Lingfield Derby trial is one of the more impressive displays this season, though whether the quality behind him was up to much is open to question.

However, he has the able Kevin Darley on board, who is bidding to make it three classics this season after landing the English and Irish 1,000 Guineas on Attraction.

Victory for Percussionist -- trained by 1997 Derby-winning trainer John Gosden -- would once again deny Frankie Dettori's bid to gain his first ever Derby triumph.

The exuberant Italian rides the favorite Snow Ridge for Godolphin, who are also looking for their first victory in the race. Lammtarra's victory in 1995 does not count for them as it bore the silks of Sheikh Mohammed's nephew Saeed Maktoum al Maktoum.

Their trainer Saeed bin Suroor, who handled Lammtarra, is fairly phlegmatic about landing the prize.

"I lose many, many big races, and its not the end of the world," said the former policeman, who was given sole charge of all the Godolphin horses for the first time this campaign.

The other major fancy is North Light, whose rider Kieren Fallon and trainer Sir Michael Stoute were victorious with Kris Kin last year, after his victory in the Dante Stakes at York last month.

"He is in good order and is on a par with Kris Kin," said Stoute, who also trained the great but tragic Shergar and Shahrastani to Derby success.

Stoute has trained all three of his winners since France last tasted success in the race and up till a month ago it looked as if they had a candidate in American Post to break the drought that stretches back to Empery in 1976.

fortuitous

However, his fortuitous victory in the French 2000 Guineas three weeks ago, when even his connections admitted he would not have won but for Antonius Pius's bizarre collision with the rails, leaves a lot of improvement to be made up.

His trainer Criquette Head-Maarek is also wary about the ground being too fast for her stable star.

"The ground was too fast for him at Longchamp and we wouldn't want similar going at Epsom," said Head-Maarek, who suffered a blow to her hopes of landing the English and French Derby's on the same weekend when Millemix had to be put down after a training mishap last week.

With Aidan O'Brien having to admit defeat in getting longtime ante-post favorite Yeats ready for the big day his hopes rest with Meath, who won his trial easily enough a fortnight ago but realistically he should not trouble the judge.

ferguson's fury

O'Brien's former owner Sir Alex Ferguson likes getting his own back on anyone who crosses him in football matters and it would no doubt give the Scotsman great pleasure were his runner Gatwick to best Meath by the shortest of margins.

Ferguson -- who has a share in Gatwick and okayed trainer Mick Channon to supplement him for US$112,000 dollars this week -- had his fill of O'Brien's main backer John Magnier last season when the Manchester United shareholder forced an investigation into his transfer dealings.

The subsequent report -- part of Magnier's battle with Ferguson over the latter's claims that he should receive more money for his owning champion miler Rock of Gibraltar -- was none too complimentary about the way they were handled but today Ferguson will be looking to put one over his former friend.

Percussionist, though, can prevail and give Sangster an opportunity to crack open a bottle of champagne up above in paradise and leave few dry eyes in the racecourse.
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