Dubai: The big-race marker that Godolphin handler Charlie Appleby was hoping to see from Sudden Wonder was visibly lacking as the Epsom hopeful could only finish third in the Listed Derby Trial Stakes at Lingfield on Saturday.
Hard-ridden by 2011 Epsom Derby winning jockey Mickael Barzalona, Sudden Wonder appeared to have ever chance as the field of nine flattened for the judge, but came up short in the final furlong as Jim Crowley’s Snow Sky pulled away to score by two lengths from Hartnell, the mount of William Buick.
However, what was conceivable Godolphin’s loss, was not the case for Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and in whose colours the impressive runner-up Hartnell raced.
The son of Authorized, who is trained by Mark Johnston, is a now a 50-1 chance for the Epsom Classic on June 7.
Snow Sky, ridden by Jim Crowley for trainer Sir Michael Stoute, was cut to 20-1 (from 50s), as bookmakers took note of his staying prowess in the 2,300m contest run over a course that has a lot of similarities to the one are Epsom.
Crowley, who was picking up the spare ride in the absence of the injured James Doyle, was effusive in his praise for the winner.
“I’ve have never sat on the horse but I have seen him before,” he told Channel 4 Racing.
“He wasn’t doing an awful lot in front but I was quite impressed with him.
“He’s a classy horse and he went round here quite well so Epsom wouldn’t be a problem.”
Stoute added: “We knew the extra distance would suit and he handled the track well and couldn’t have done it more nicely.
“I wouldn’t want to jump and say he definitely goes for Epsom. It does encourage you, but we’ll sit tight.”
Barbados-born Stoute, who knows a thing or two about what kind of horse it takes to win the Derby having won the race five times in the past said: “He’s got the balance, he will handle the track and he’s got a great temperament.”
Stoute’s wins in the blue riband race came with Shergar (1981), Shahrastani (1986), Kris Kin (2003), North Light (2004) and Workforce (2010).
Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to Snow sky’s owner Prince Khalid Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, said there would be discussions about the Derby in the coming days.
“Obviously we have to consider several factors, but with the way he ran today, we’re in a nice place to be with him at this point of time,” he told Channel 4.
“He did all that was asked of him today, and we couldn’t be more pleased.”
Irish hope Australia is the 7-2 ante-post favourite with Godolphin’s True Story a 6-1 second favourite.
Meanwhile at Ascot, Al Saham showed plenty of battling qualities to win the Leo Bancroft Signature Haircare Handicap at Ascot.
