MONEY FOR MOGUL
Moore picks Derby ride
MOGUL’S odds for the Investec Derby were slashed last night after Ryan Moore decided to partner the colt forAidan O’Brien. The jockey was spoilt for choice as O’Brien, his boss, saddles six of the 16 declared runners in tomorrow’s Epsom Classic. Mogul, who badly needed the outing when fourth at Royal Ascot last month, is now 11-2 from 7-1 with Coral.
But Moore, right, successful twice in the Derby, has picked the wrong O’Brien runner in the last three years when the trainer has twice won the race. Last year he finished fifth on Sir Dragonet behind Anthony Van Dyck. Three years ago, he finished fourth on Saxon Warrior when Wings Of Eagles took the prize.
Seamie Heffernan, last year’s successful rider and victorious in last Friday’s Irish Derby with Santiago, will partner Russian Emperor for O’Brien before riding Order Of Australia in Sunday’s French Derby.
Heffernan clearly believes the trip to Epsom is worthwhile as he will face 14 days in quarantine when he returns to Ireland.
Supporters of the favourite English King, the mount of Frankie Dettori, will be hoping the great man can work his magic from stall one.
Oath was the last winner to take the race from that stall in 1999.
Jim Crowley put his mount, Emissary, through his paces yesterday. Trainer Hugo Palmer, having his first runner in the race, said: “Jim said he was a gentleman and a nice balanced horse for Epsom.” Andrew Balding, hoping to emulate his father Ian’s success with the great Mill Reef in 1971, admitted Kameko, the 4-1 second favourite, has yet to prove himself over the Derby trip.
“There are obviously the stamina doubts,” he said. “But he’s very relaxed.”