Unorthodox a UAE Derby possible after winning debut

Trainer John Murphy suggested a possible tilt at the UAE Derby at Meydan next March for Unorthodox after the debutant sprang a 25/1 shock in the two-year-old maiden in Dundalk last night.

Ridden by Connor King, the son of Thewayyouare was last out of the stalls but made steady progress from mid-division at half-way and, challenging down the inside, got up late to foil even-money favourite Dalewari by a neck.

The winning rider commented: “He was very green and did well to win – he can only improve,” while Murphy, speaking later by phone, explained: “He’s a fair horse, but was slow to come to hand. He’ll be a lovely three-year-old and could be a horse for the UAE Derby. He has an all-weather pedigree and could be anything.”