Dubai: Godolphin handler Charlie Appleby is hoping that Sudden Wonder can reinforce his Classic credentials by delivering a big effort in the Listed betfred.com Derby Trial at Lingfield Park on Saturday.

The Rabbah Bloodstock-bred son of former Epsom Derby scorer New Approach, who showed plenty of battling qualities to win the £200,000 (Dh1.24 million) Tattersalls Millions 3-Y-O Trophy on his seasonal bow at Newmarket last month, and will be looking to secure a ticket to the June 7 showpiece.

Appleby believes that he can only improve for the run when he takes on eight rivals in the mile-and-three-furlong contest at a course which is in some way similar to that at Epsom.

The trial has in the past produced several high-quality colts who have gone on to win the Derby, including High Rise in 1998. In total, eight winners of the contest have won the Derby.

Speaking after Sudden Wonder first stormed into the Derby picture last season, Appleby said on Sky Sports: “I think he’s hopefully going to stretch out to 12 furlongs, but we’ll start off over ten next year. He’s got a nice attitude and went through the gears.

“Hopefully he’ll start off in a Derby trail. We’ve always held him in the regard that we could think about the route.”

British bookmakers have Sudden Wonder at odds of 33-1 for Epsom, but that could change after Saturday’s race, in which he is expected to be sent off as the hot favourite behind the Aidan O’Brien-trained pair — Mekong River and Blue Hussar.

Another horse bidding to advertise his potential at Lingfield is Munjaz, who represents Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance.

Angus Gold, Shaikh Hamdan’s racing manager, said in an Epsom statement: “I think everything has been pretty good with him since his win at Newmarket. I thought he was workmanlike there, but he is still a very inexperienced, immature horse and I’m sure he is going to improve.

“He is a nice horse. He is a big galloper and we have always known that he has a certain amount of ability. He will stay well and I think he will improve as the year goes on.

“Paul [Hanagan] said he might prefer a flat track, but if he is going to be any sort of horse, he will have to adapt.”

The Derby market is headed by O’Brien’s Australia, third in 2,000 Guineas (G1) at Newmarket earlier this month, with Godolphin’s True Story, an impressive seven-length winner of the Listed Feilden Stakes, the 7-2 second favourite.