Item firmly on the agenda for Derby challenge
Item ridden by Colin Keane on their way to winning the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes at York Racecourse. Picture: Mike Egerton/PA Wire.
Item advertised his Betfred Derby credentials in maintaining his unbeaten record in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes at York.
Arriving on the Knavesmire having won both outings as a juvenile, the Andrew Balding-trained son of Frankel was sent off at 11-2 for his seasonal reappearance in what is widely regarded as the preeminent trial for the Epsom Classic next month.
Ridden with supreme confidence by Colin Keane, the Juddmonte number one stuck with long-time leader Action on the far side while plenty of the pack splintered to the stands rail.
When asked to win his race inside the final furlong, Item quickened a smart two-and-three-quarter-lengths clear of Action, whose Aidan O’Brien-trained stablemate Christmas Day, the 11-4 favourite, was third.
The victory unearthed a second Classic contender for the owners in as many days after Legacy Link’s Musidora win 24 hours ago, with Item made 5-1 for the Derby by Coral.
Juddmonte racing manager Barry Mahon said: “That was only his third lifetime start and his first this year.
“He does his work nicely at home, but he’s not flashy and we were a little unsure where we were, but that was a good performance.
“We’ve won a trial so the obvious place to go is the Derby, Juddmonte buy and breed these horses to compete at the top table in the best races and the Epsom Derby is still one of the best races in the world.
“Colin said he felt like a horse who would get further so we’ll talk to the owners, but hopefully they’ll want to go to Epsom.” He added: “Some very good horses won the trials at Chester and Lingfield, but this horse has done nothing wrong, he’s three from three and he keep answering the questions.
“We came here today not knowing where we were going, but I thought that was a very good performance for his first run of the year.”
