Relax and breathe: Duke of the Derby reveals secrets to success
The King of the Derby says you can train horses to win the classic but you can’t make them Derby horses.
“What I have learned is, ultimately, they are either Derby horses or they aren’t,” says Roger James who heads to Ellerslie today hunting his sixth win in our most iconic thoroughbred race.
These days training in partnership with Robert Wellwood, James has superstar filly Orchestral in the $1 million NZ Derby and at $1.40 she is one of the shortest-priced favourites in the history of the race.
She ran away from similar or even better opposition to win the Karaka Millions Three-Year-Old (1600m) and the Avondale Guineas (2100m) at her last two starts and the only question is whether Orchestral can be quite as destructive over 2400m.
If James doubted it, she simply wouldn’t be at Ellerslie today.
“While breeding is a factor I have found it comes down to two main things, their ability to relax and their breathing,” says James.
“If they can relax and breathe properly then they can save themselves for when they need to be used.
“But if their breathing isn’t right then the 2400m is usually too far for them.
“It is one reason I like to get close to my horses when they work, so you can hear them breathing.
“If it is clean and efficient it is half the battle, as long as the horse is good enough, which obviously she is.”
James, who has won the NZ Derby with Tidal Light (partnership with Jim Gibbs in 1986), Roysyn (1995), Zonda (1997), Hades (1999) and Silent Achiever (2012) says he will often tinker with a horse to help them relax.
“We sometimes change trackwork riders or the way they are worked to help them learn how to get it right.
“But if they are a good cleanwinded horse, a Derby or Oaks campaign is a lot easier.”
Exactly how good Orchestral may be is hard to tell but a mishap at the start of spring that saw her miss the 1000 Guineas at Riccarton may ultimately prove to be blessing.
She looks a controlled ball of energy
whereas many of the stars of spring are now in the spelling paddock as a long, hot summer of racing has taken its toll.
That is why many of those on the next lines of betting after Orchestral today are emerging gallopers who started their season in November or later: Australian raider Interlinked, Just As Sharp, Ascend The Throne, Mosinvader and bolter First Innings.
Of them Interlinked may be the best chance of beating Orchestral but trainer Trent Busuttin is realistic.
“We may be all running for second the way she won the Avondale Guineas, but you never know,” says the ex-pat.
The Derby is the centrepiece of a spectacular raceday, with the Kings Plate bringing together most of New Zealand’s best sprinters and the Mufhasa Stakes for the three-year-old speedsters full of class and potential.
The McKee Family Sunline Vase will be a crucial pointer to the NZ Oaks in two weeks.
And the new $350,000 innovation race the Rangitoto Classic has worked, bringing together an eclectic bunch.
Champion New Zealand sprinting mare Imperatriz will stay in Melbourne for her next start and carry 58kg in the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington next Saturday.