Stars on course for Derby date

John Oxx reports his 2000 Guineas hero Sea The Stars to be fighting fit as he goes in search of a Classic double in next month’s Investec Derby.

A winner of two of his three juvenile starts, the Cape Cross colt ran out an impressive victor at Newmarket earlier in the month as he stretched clear of Craven winner Delegator.

Sea The Stars is slowly beginning to build up his work again as Epsom draws closer and the Currabeg handler is delighted with his current form.

“We’re very happy with him and he’s had two weeks cantering now. He seems very fresh and well in himself and he’s beginning to step up in his work again,” said Oxx.

“He’s in good order and I couldn’t be more pleased with him.”

Oxx admits to being slightly disappointed with his other Derby candidate, Mourayan, after he chased home Fame And Glory in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown last time.

While he has plenty of respect for the winner, Oxx feels there is more to come from his charge and is confident he can bounce back.

“Mourayan is OK but we were a bit disappointed with him as we thought he’d make more of a race with Fame And Glory,” the trainer told At The Races.

“The winner was very impressive and we probably wouldn’t be able to match him anyway, but our horse didn’t run much of a race as he was never travelling from a long way out.

“Maybe the ground was a bit fast for him and I hope he is capable of better. We’ll find out later in the year – maybe in the Irish Derby.”