Jenkins has faith in his 1,000-1 shot
TRAINER John Jenkins has no qualms about running no-hoper Diore Lia in Saturday’s Investec Derby despite having apprentice Gina Mangan in the saddle.
The presence in the Classic of the filly, quoted at 1,000-1 by some bookmakers and well beaten on her two runs, has split opinion.
Some argue it devalues Britain’s most prestigious Flat race while fearing an outclassed horse ridden by a jockey who has only one career win and has never ridden at Epsom is a potential safety hazard, especially with a 20-strong field.
Others defend the right of Richard Aylward, Diore Lia’s owner-breeder, to pay the entry fees and pursue his Derby dream.
Andrew Cooper, head of racing at Epsom, conceded that changes to the entry criteria were likely to be discussed after the race.
But Jenkins said he had total confidence in both Diore Lia and Mangan to cope with the big occasion.
The Hertfordshire trainer was Diore Lia’s original handler and the filly has returned to his care after Jane Chapple-Hyam expressed reservations about running her in the Derby.
Jenkins drew parallels with his one previous Derby runner, 500-1 Plato’s Republic in 1994. He finished 24th of 25 behind Erhaab in a race where Foyer was brought down. The limit was reduced to 20 in 2003.
Jenkins said: ‘It’s the owner’s decision. He pays the bills, he’s paid all the entry fees and he’s entitled to run her if he wants. If I didn’t run her someone else would.
‘It was the same with Plato’s Republic. His owners bought a horse and wanted to run in the Derby. We weren’t expecting much then but he ran OK.
‘The filly will be fine. We might need a miracle but we will give it a go. I don’t think she will disgrace herself. And Gina is a very good rider. I don’t think she will have any problems. I have 100 per cent confidence in her.’
Asked if Diore Lia might be a danger if dropping backing when tired, Jenkins added: ‘ What happens when pacemakers make the running? They drop back. She’s not going to be making the running.’
Cooper said long shots in the Derby are nothing new and drawing up a minimum form requirement was not easy, with no desire to rule out lightly raced improving horses.
Saturday’s race will be worth £1.625million after Mark Johnston’s Dante Stakes winner Permian was added for £85,000, along with John Gosden’s Khalidi, who broke the track record when winning Goodwood’s Cocked Hat Stakes on Friday.