Racing Post Trophy: Can Dettori lay Foundation for Derby success?
Published:
Jamie Clark, Sports Editor | October 24, 2015
Two leading contenders for next year’s Epsom Derby go head-to-head at Doncaster today in the Racing Post Trophy (15:45), and John Gosden’s chestnut colt Foundation looks a worthy favourite to defeat rival Deauville again.
Frankie Dettori, who has steered two-year-old Foundation to two of his three victories, is once again in the saddle on favourable ground at the Yorkshire track.
All three of very early 10/1 Derby favourite Foundation’s wins have come on good or good to soft ground, and that’s how the going is again today at Doncaster.
He defeated Deauville when last seen in action and the one mile trip around which they meet again clearly suits Foundation.
Can Deauville deliver?
Aidan O’Brien horse Deauville came up just 3/4 of a length short, finishing second behind his foe in the Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket last month.
That was a step up of an extra furlong on previous races, so it will be interesting to see what Deauville has learned.
O’Brien makes a change of jockey for the Racing Post Trophy, partnering 14/1 Derby chance Deauville with son Joseph again, who was on board when the colt was last successful landing the Tyros Stakes at Leopardstown in July.
Vermeer makes British bow
It’s a high quality field in this feature race at Doncaster, with all seven runners posting at least one career win, so beyond the obvious market leaders Foundation and Deauville, O’Brien has another in with a shout in Johannes Vermeer.
Finishing fourth of 11 in the Prix Jean-luc Lagardere behind another 2016 Derby contender Ultra (16/1 to win the Epsom Classic next year), Johannes Vermeer found this race at the Arc de Triomphe meeting at Longchamp too hot to handle.
O’Brien will be hoping for better from Johannes Vermeer on his first outing on British soil following two wins in Ireland, including the Willis Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown.
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Coral’s top tip: While O’Brien thinks Deauville can beat Foundation, Gosden knows his horse can win against a major rivals, so side with the favourite here.
