Bonfire in from to upset Camelot in the Investec Derby
Countering Aidan O’Brien’s attack in the Group 1 Investec Derby, Andrew Balding too has a dual saddled for the race at Epsom on Saturday, 2nd June. It will be raced over a mile, four furlongs and ten yards. The line-up attracted to the race has
nine three-year-old runners.
Manduro’s bay colt differs from Camelot as out of the three outings, only two culminated into wins, he has raced in two graded races but was successful in only one.
The race that has enhanced his chances of dominating the Investec Derby is the victory in the Group 2 Betfred Dante Stakes on 17th May at York over a mile and two and a half lengths.
The tenfold impact of the win included taking down the 11/4 favourite of Aidan O’Brien, Ernest Hemingway and along with that Bonfire smashed the track record by a massive margin.
The trainer was joyous as a victory in the Dante Stakes is considered as a very clear indicator of the success in the Investec Derby. Bonfire might not have won two Grade 1s but he has bagged one of the most important prerequisites for the Derby.
Even his third position in the Group 1 Criterium International is commendable as he was up against some real competition and had come out of a career win with only one race under his belt. That speaks volumes about his experience and the relentless ability
that has brought him to the Derby.
His stable mate, Minimise Risk, Galileo’s three-year-old bay colt out of mare, Dararita, has raced thrice during the new season and has been able to credit one of them as a win against his name.
He won the Bathwick Tyres Maiden Stakes on 21st April at Newbury over a mile and three furlongs.
Bonfire is the second favourite and is being bet on feverishly for the Derby but just next to Camelot. The trainer and his under charge, Camelot, have accomplished some milestones already and are a difficult team to undermine provided the level of talent
and competition. Being the only one able to upset the 2000 Guineas winner is in itself an acknowledgement of Bonfire’s ability.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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