La Grange is sending out four Group one runners to Epsom this weekend for the Investec Derby Festival. Island Remede and Amazing Maria are both lining up for The Investec Oaks on Friday. Both fillies are tackling their first Group One, with Amazing Maria having her first start of the year.
Unfortunately Amazing Maria had to miss The 1000 Guineas due to a respiratory infection. She has since been working well and had a racecourse outing with Frankie Dettori, at Epsom last week. This filly has always been a very exciting prospect for us and our main concern would be whether she stays one mile four furlongs.
"She missed her first intended run of the year in The English Guineas and we are still on a fact finding mission with her. Although this sounds strange to be doing it in a Classic; we know she is a classy filly who has always excited us.
Island Remede is a tough filly who keeps on improving with each start. Lynsey Williams, who rides her every day and who use to ride our stable Oaks star, Snow Fairy, says she is in great form and feels really well in herself. She will have no problem with the trip and connections will be hoping Epsom gets plenty of overnight rain, as she relishes softer conditions. She has James Doyle on board for the third time and will be better than her 100/1 odds suggest.
"Island Remede is a homebred filly of Ian and Janice Quy’s. I trained her mother, Island Odyssey who won three races for me. She ran a very good race, from a bad draw, in Lingfield’s, Oaks Trial. We know she stays the trip and the more rain, the better for this filly."
We also have Gworn and Red Avenger running at Epsom on Friday. Gworn is running in a class two Handicap, over one mile two furlongs, with Paul Hanagan riding. He is a good looking son of Aussie Rules who is owned by Noel Martin.
Red Avenger is running in the one mile class two Handicap with William Buick on board. He is one of two runners for owner, Mr Arculli, at the Derby Festival meeting.
We have two runners on Derby day with Joshua Tree running in The Coronation Cup for the second time and Red Galileo running in The Derby.
Joshua Tree has been in great form recently and really impressed his regular rider, Jason Tate, in a gallop this week.
"Joshua Tree was placed in this race last year. This looks a really tough renewal with the likes of Cirrus Des Aigles and Flintshire lining up. Any rain will be welcome for this horse and Ryan Moore is a great booking as he knows this horse really well and has won a Group one on him."
Red Galileo is in The Investec Derby and is giving apprentice Oisin Murphy his first Derby ride. Red Galileo’s sire, Dubawi, ran in the 2005 Derby, finishing third behind Motivator.
"We entered Red Galileo for this race in the winter. This is a very sporting venture by his owner, Mr Arculli and his sportsmanship shows by booking up and coming star apprentice, Oisin Murphy to ride this horse. Let’s hope he can give his connections a great run."