Leather whips in
Jim Bolger’s 6-1 shot triumphs as Epsom winner struggles, writes Tony Parkes
TRADING Leather claimed the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby for trainer Ji m Bolger and jockey Kevin Manning. The 6- 1 chance travelled well throughout the mileand- a- half c ontest and knuckled down well in the final furlong to get the better of Galileo Rock.
Festive Cheer came from last to grab third, but Epsom Derby one-two Ruler Of The World and Libertarian were both disappointing.
Ruler Of The World finished a never-nearer fifth, while Libertarian was even further back.
Ruler Of The World was unsurprisingly a warm order following his impressive Epsom display, sent off a 4-5 favourite to give trainer Aidan O’Brien an 11th Irish Derby victory.
However, he was being ridden along towards the rear of the field rounding the home turn and while he made up some ground in the straight, he never looked like landing a significant blow.
The Elaine Burke-trained Libertarian, purchased by Godolphin after his excellent Epsom effort, ran even more disappointingly, with William Buick eventually easing down and beating only one home.
Last of all was Patrick Prendergast’s Sugar Boy, another horse t hat has changed ownership this week.
Trading Leather had chased Libertarian home in the Dante Stakes at York and finished third in the Irish 2000 Guineas, before winning a Listed race at this track three weeks ago.
Never too far off the pace, he showed a good attitude when it mattered to beat David Wachman’s Epsom third Galileo Rock, handing Bolger a second Irish Derby win after the victory of St Jovite in 1992.
O’Brien’s apparent second string Festive Cheer could be counted slightly unlucky in third, flashing home after traffic problems.
Manning, a leading jockey for several years, was delighted to finally break his duck in Ireland’s premier Classic.
He said: “I was a bit afraid of getting to the front too soon. He gallops and he has pace. It means an awful lot to me to win this race. I missed the chance before when New Approach was taken out late on.
Wachman was delighted with the effort of the runnerup. He said: “He ran well. The winner won well but we made of a race of it and I’m very happy with that.
“He’s definitely stepped forward [from Epsom]. These three-year-olds need to step forward through the year and he’ll need to step forward again from here. Jim’s horse travelled particularly well. We stayed on but I think the winner won with a bit up his sleeve.”
Asked if Galileo Rock could be targeted at the St Leger, Wachman said: “He’ll be in it, we’ll see nearer the time. Good ground is essential and I think he’ll really come into his own as a four-year-old.”
O’Brien could offer no immediate explanation for Ruler Of The World’s lacklustre effort.
He said: “He’s had three quick enough runs. He was a bit warmer than he was at Epsom but I don’t want to make excuses as the winner did it well.
“We may give him a break now, he deserves it.”