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Rewilding ready for big test

Image: Rewilding

Connections of Rewilding are hoping the impressive Goodwood winner is up to landing the Investec Derby on Saturday.

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Godolphin is positive mood ahead of Derby

Connections of Rewilding are hoping the impressive Goodwood winner is up to landing the Investec Derby on Saturday. Formerly trained in France by Andre Fabre, the son of Tiger Hill was bought by Godolphin following his reappearance and duly sauntered to victory in a Listed event at the Sussex venue. While that performance showed plenty of promise, connections know the colt needs to improve to take a hand in the finish at Epsom. But with his sound temperament sure to stand him in good stead, big-race jockey Frankie Dettori believes he could land his second Derby after his win on Authorized two years ago. "I'm delighted to be riding him. Andre (Fabre) thought a lot of him," said Dettori. "One thing is for sure, he stays and he's very laid-back so he's a nice horse to have for Epsom. "The big question is, is he good enough? We won't find out until the day, but I'm delighted to be on him and I'm looking forward to it. "One thing I'd love to do is win the race for my boss."

Class

Godolphin's racing manager Simon Crisford believes Rewilding has the class to prevail. "He has a great temperament, is bomb-proof and stays a mile and a half and has plenty of class," he said. "Whether he has enough class to win the Derby, we'll find out on the day, but he took Goodwood very well and handled the undulations." Trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni is in his first season with Godolphin and is also responsible for Buzzword. "I'm very excited about having my first runner in the Derby, it is the race everyone wants to win so for me to have a runner in my first year as a trainer is fantastic," he said.
Confident
"I think this horse has a lot going for him, he's relaxed, he's focused and he's a professional. "It's the Derby so you can't be confident, but I'll be trying my best and we just need luck." Saeed bin Suroor trains Al Zir for the team, ridden by Kieren Fallon. "Al Zir was disappointing in the 2000 Guineas and we thought he had a great chance. Frankie felt the slow pace did not help, and he couldn't get into a rhythm," said Crisford. "He ran OK but it wasn't what he had hoped for. He definitely wants a longer trip, and it's possible a mile and a half will be too far for him. "A mile and a quarter is probably his optimum trip, but the Guineas was too short for him." Fallon added: "My horse is third on speed figures and I hope he can improve on that over the distance. He's a lovely, big horse and I'm looking forward to riding him. "I suppose though, if I had the choice, I would pick Midas Touch. He's a well-balanced horse and his time when winning at Leopardstown was better than Galileo and High Chaparral and that speaks for itself. "The track is a favourite of mine, I'm feeling good at the moment and looking forward to the weekend." Sir Michael Stoute is searching for a fifth success in the race but is not convinced Workforce is the right horse for Epsom. "He's a bit short of experience and is workmanlike at home," said Stoute. "I'm sorry that we've not managed to give him two races before the Derby as that was the plan, but he was slow to come to himself and is a big horse."
Tactics
Coordinated Cut was three-quarters of a length behind Workforce in third place iin the Dante Stakes at York but his trainer Michael Bell is hoping a change of tactics will help his runner. "I'm hopeful that the change of tactics and the fact he's stripping a little bit fitter will see him get the trip," he said. "He set sail for home early in the straight at York and I don't think that suited him. He's much better with a target. "He showed when he won at Newmarket that he's better with something to aim at. Hopefully we learnt something that day at York. We'll put that experience to good use and we won't be setting sail for home too early at Epsom. "I think he's right in the mix, he's a gorgeous-looking horse and he has earned his place in the paddock in any Derby and let's hope he can run up to his very best."

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