All four of Fascinating Rock's career starts have been on soft going but Dermot Weld believes his Epsom Derby candidate will cope with almost any ground in Saturday week's big race and instead still suspects the biggest obstacle to the colt's chances of blue-riband success will come from the favourite Australia.
After Fascinating Rock secured the Derrinstown Derby Trial in the Leopardstown stewards room over two other Epsom candidates, Ebanoran and Geoffrey Chaucer, Weld described Australia as a “stand-out” for Epsom and nothing appears to have made him change his mind since.
In fact Kingman’s Irish Guineas success at the weekend only strengthened that view, although the legendary Curragh trainer stressed yesterday how pleased he has been with his own colt’s preparation.
“I thought the English Guineas was a very good race. They all look to be seriously good colts and the way Kingman won here indicates that even more,” Weld said. “I know it will be a mile and a half at Epsom but the favourite is bred to get it and he does look a stand-out.”
Fascinating Rock is a general 14/1 shot for the Derby after winning three from three this season, including bringing off the traditional Ballysax-Derrinstown double, albeit having passed the post in the Leopardstown contest just behind the wayward Ebanoran.
“It was a very good renewal of the Derrinstown, the best renewal in a number of years. There was depth and strength to it and I think it was the best of the Derby trials, outside of the Classics. It might have been a Group Three but it ran like a Group Two. I’ve been pleased with the horse since and everything is progressing nicely.
"At this time of year, with the climate we have in these islands, ground conditions can change so rapidly but I think Fascinating Rock is comfortable on any kind of ground bar extremes. He doesn't want it very firm and he doesn't want it very heavy. Apart from that I think he should be fine," Weld added. 'Career starts' The son of Fastnet Rock won both the Ballysax at Navan and the Derrinstown on "yielding to soft" going while his two other career starts were on an officially "soft to heavy" surface.
Weld has yet to win an Epsom Derby but John Oxx is set to give Ebanoran a chance to follow in the footsteps of Sinndar and Sea The Stars.
“There was nothing between him and Fascinating Rock at Leopardstown and, at this time of year, it’s all about how horses improve,” Oxx reported. “Both of them have 6lb to find with Australia on official ratings. I don’t think the track should be a problem for our horse and hopefully the atmosphere shouldn’t bother him.”
Weld also has a significant interest in the Epsom Oaks in just 10 days although a decision on whether or not Tarfasha joins another Sheikh Hamdan-owned star in Taghrooda is likely to be left until much closer to the big race.
The duo dominate the top of the Oaks betting and Weld issued a “progressing nicely” verdict on his filly.
