Los Angeles and Wayne Lordan© Photo Healy Racing
English Derby-third Los Angeles is likely to be Ballydoyle's principal hope for Sunday's Irish Derby and his Epsom-rider Wayne Lordan believes the Curragh's more galloping course will suit him better.
Camelot-sired Los Angeles became fractious at the post at Epsom on June 1 but nonetheless ran a solid race to finish six lengths third to City Of Troy, with that stablemate now set to bypass the Curragh in favour of Sandown's Coral Eclipse Stakes.
Los Angeles is 15/8 favourite for the Curragh classic and Lordan reports “we were delighted how he ran in Epsom. He ran a very creditable race. He tries hard and I think the Curragh will suit him even better. He’s a big galloping horse that gets into a good rhythm and the Curragh is a galloping track, so is ideal for him.
“Epsom is a unique track and it’s the buzz of the place as well. They learn how to balance themselves on it and the Curragh will be easier for him. The Curragh has always been a very fair track and the best horse usually wins.
“The ground was beautiful in Epsom and he handled it and he has form on slower ground, so I think whatever turns up on the day he’ll handle it.”
Newmarket, UK-based trainer Roger Varian enjoyed Royal Ascot success with top-level winner Charyn in Tuesday's Queen Anne Stakes and has Matsuri entered for the Irish Derby.
Matsuri won easily on his seasonal reappearance at Leicester on May 27 and Varian says “I think he’s very talented and he seems to be thriving at home. His work is good and he has to jump out of novice company straight into classic company, but they can do that if they are good enough.
“We think he’s quite good so we’re looking forward to it. We were disappointed not to have had him ready earlier and to have gone for a proper Derby Trial and then to Epsom, but he just didn’t come to hand as soon as I would have liked. Maybe missing Epsom and Ascot will work in his favour though and he goes to the Curragh a fresh horse.
“He would lack a bit of experience on his main rivals and needs to defy that lack of experience by being very good but that’s what we hope he is. We do rate him quite highly.
“I think he’s versatile - fast ground or good to soft wouldn’t worry me but I’m not sure I’d want it to get too testing.”
Quotes from Alan Magee
