Dubai hopes on trial for Epsom Derby

Dubai: Two Dubai-owned horses are among a promising field of nine set to contest Wednesday’s £50,000 (Dh280,029) Investec Derby Trial run over the same course as the June Classic at Epsom racecourse.

The John Gosden-trained Hoarding represents Princess Haya Bint Hussain, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, while Mirsaale carries the colours of Rabbah Bloodstock-managed owner Saif Ali.

Mirsaale, a son of 2006 Epsom Derby hero Sir Percy, was nominated together with a record 17 horses for the £1.3 million showpiece at second entry stage two weeks ago.

Hoarding does not figure in the Derby equation at this point of time, but should he win on Wednesday he will be the benefaciary of a unique wildcard entry for the June 1 Derby.

Remarkably, Wednesday’s Trial is the only race that allows three-year-old Derby hopefuls to test their ability at Epsom Downs, often regarded as one of the most difficult flat race tracks in the world.

Princess Haya experienced Derby joy when Kevin Manning rode the Jim Bolger-trained New Approach to victory in 2008.

Also figuring in the list of second entry horses was Dawn Approach, a three-year-old son of New Approach, who is the ante-post favourite for the English 2,000 Guineas on May 4.

Secret Number, who was a strong-finishing third in the Group Two UAE Derby at Meydan on March 30, is also in the list.

Mirsaale, a half-brother to Epsom Oaks runner-up Meeznah, is an interesting contender. Purchased at the 2011 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, he made a promising debut when fifth to leading 2,000 Guineas hope Ghurair in a seven-furlong maiden at Newmarket last July.

It wasn’t long before he broke out of the maiden ranks at Brighton in August and then went on to take third in the Listed Ascendant Stakes over a mile at Newbury the following month. But on his last start over seven furlongs in the £500,000 Tattersalls Millions 2YO Trophy at Newmarket in October, he ran below expectations to finish seventh.

Mirsaale is trained by James Tate, a former senior vet to top trainer Mark Johnston, who looks to have a strong hand in Wednesday’s race with Mister Impatience, a son of Hernando who made a winning seasonal debut at Doncaster last month.

The Spring Meeting is the opening fixture of the year at Epsom Downs and features a six-race programme that includes two historic handicaps — the £20,000 Great Metropolitan Handicap over a mile-and-a-half and the £50,000 Suburban Handicap over 10 furlongs.