STRATEGIC PRINCE IS ON COURSE FOR THE DERBY
Taken from the Racing Post
By Neil Morrice
Strategic Prince (DANSILI) on Saturday increased Paul Cole's hopes that the colt can emulate Generous by winning the Derby with a pleasing workout on the trial ground at Whatcombe on Saturday.
The 2,000 Guineas eighth teamed up with big-race jockey Eddie Ahern on the same Woolley Down Derby gallop Cole used to prepare Generous for his Epsom triumph in 1991 and Arthur Budgett, 91 on Saturday, readied his Derby heroes Blakeney and Morston.
Working over nine furlongs with a well-regarded lead horse partnered by Richard Quinn, Strategic Prince quickened up stylishly to pull clear at the end.
Cole is keeping his fingers crossed rain stays away from the Epsom area and is disappointed at the decision to water the track last week.
He said on Saturday: "Everything went well for Strategic Prince. He galloped out strongly and we are all set. My worry is that they have watered and there is a dreadful weather forecast next week.
"When they water ahead of a big race and then it rains, it can cause all sorts of problems and produces false ground. We don't want that for our colt, who is happier when it's riding fast.”
Taken from the TDN - 24th May
Prince Set Fair...
Sultan Ahmad Shah's Strategic Prince (GB) (DANSILI {GB}), eighth in the G1 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, is on course for next Saturday's G1 Epsom Derby. Last year's G2 July S. and G2 Vintage S. hero has pleased trainer Paul Cole since his seasonal return in the May 5 Classic. “Everything is fine,” Cole told Racing Post. “He is eating up and moving well. He is pretty fit and on schedule--there have been no hiccups. He has become more relaxed and is always going forward in his work, and he went forward in the 2000 Guineas. I think there could be around 14 runners and, hopefully, they will go a good pace. It's when there are too few runners you might not get any pace.”
Date:
26 May 2007