Conquest set for Derby tilt
Trainer Dermot Weld and owner Walter Haefner of Moyglare Stud have already had talks about paying the £75,000 (€95,000) fee to add the ante-post favourite to the field at Monday’s confirmation stage.
Weld went on record at Epsom’s ’Breakfast With the Stars’ event on Thursday saying he would advise Mr Haefner to run the colt on Saturday week.
Casual Conquest, impressive winner of the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial, had pleased connections in a workout at Leopardstown on Wednesday night.
“It’s moving very much towards the positive,” said the owner’s racing manager Stan Cosgrove.
“They have spoken and we will know definitely at the weekend.
“The money is only a small part. You have to go when the iron is hot.
“You know how fickle horses are. I’ve been working with horses for over 50 years and I know what can happen.
“He worked well on Wednesday night. Everyone was very pleased with him. He pulled out a bit of speed which is what they wanted.”
Chester Vase winner Doctor Fremantle, trained by Michael Stoute, is another expected to be added to the field.
“At this moment he is going to be supplemented,” said Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Khalid Abdullah.
The going at Epsom is soft, but it is set to dry out before the two-day meeting starts next Friday.
On the betting front, bookmakers report further support for Curtain Call, with Ladbrokes trimming Luca Cumani’s charge to 4-1 second-favourite from 5-1 and totesport going 7-2 from 4s.
Vodafone Derby betting:
Ladbrokes: 7-2 Casual Conquest, 4-1 Curtain Call, 5-1 Henrythenavigator, 6-1 Tartan Bearer, Tajaaweed, 8-1 Doctor Fremantle, 10-1 Frozen Fire, 16-1 Kandahar Run, Kingdom Of Naples, 20-1 Alessandro Volta, Bronze Cannon, Rio De La Plata, 25-1 bar.
