Rivals in a Tiz
Ralph’s Derby secret weapon
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TIZ THE LAW is the 5-1 favourite for the Kentucky Derby after an easy victory at Gulfstream Park on Saturday night.
Representing trainer
RALPH BECKETT can’t wait to test Max Vega’s Investec Derby credentials when the 2020 Flat season finally starts.
The British Horseracing Authority is still hoping the sport – in abeyance with all fixtures until the end of April cancelled by the coronavirus pandemic – can resume on 1 May.
No decision has yet been made on whether the first four Classics of 2020 – Newmarket’s QIPCO Guineas Festival is set for 2 and 3 May, while the Derby meeting is due to take place at Epsom on 5 and 6 June – will be run on their original dates or be subject to a delay.
But Beckett is keen for Max Vega to make his comeback in an Epsom trial after the son of Lope De Vega entered the Derby picture with a smooth threelength victory in the Group
Barclay Tagg in the Florida Derby, the 11-10 favourite and Manny Franco burst clear in the straight to beat 80-1 outsider
Three Zetland Stakes Newmarket last October.
“The Zetland hasn’t been a bad trial in recent years and I’m very keen to go to Epsom if everything is right,” said the master of Kimpton Down Stables near Andover.
“Our plan was to put him in the Derby at the April entry stage and run him in a trial when they show up.
“He is never going to be a big, strong horse because he is such a light-framed individual. He is not a particularly tall horse and that is why I’m pretty keen to go to Epsom.”
Beckett added: “He will definitely handle the track in my view.
“He has the temperament to handle it as well.”
Max Vega is currently a 25-1 shot for the premier Classic.
Shivaree by four and a half lengths.
Franco said: “All the time when I called on him a little bit, he was there for me.”
The coronavirus at
pandemic has caused the ‘Run for the Roses’, originally set to for Churchill Downs on 2 May, to be rescheduled for 5 September.