Derby Betting / Editor / 03 June 2009 / Leave a comment

There were plenty of impressive performers at Wimbledon last Saturday and The Lord wraps up the names to keep note of...

He may have been a 25-1 chance, but Kinda Ready was no lucky winner of the Derby.

A tough six-race schedule, and a succession of bad draws, made Fear Zafonic vulnerable off the last bend. But not before his trainer Charlie Lister had performed a training miracle to rank with his Classic victories in England and Scotland.

A first-bend lead achieved, Fear Zafonic was on his way to glory. But in behind Kinda Ready was running, really running. And he just exposed the chink in Fear Zafonic's armour that remained after what had been an arduous campaign.

The [1.01] boys were up in arms, but not those who had the three-figure prices about Kinda Ready in-running. Zafonic's supporters cried foul and still cannot believe their dog was picked up, but the younger dog came of age as the Derby progressed.

It just underlined again the strength of this year's Classic.

To have a dog such as Kinda Ready, who had run-up in the Monmore Puppy Derby behind a dog (Bandicoot Tipoki) who had been a leading contender for Derby honours, go off such a big price said a lot about his rivals. And remember he was catching Tipoki also!

The good news is that the Derby winner remains in training, serious training to include a crack at the Irish Derby. The sport is in good hands while people like trainer Mark Wallis and his loyal band of owners love the sport in this way.

Likewise, Lister will be even more keen to equal the record of Leslie Reynolds by winning the Derby a fifth time, so to have the great man still competing at the top level for the rest of 2009 into 2010 is something to look forward to.

And while the red jacket hoodoo continues, it cannot be, and never was, because of the crowd noise! Zafonic had every chance but was unable to last out. He got away to a flyer from red and put paid to the chances of Ballymac Ruso, who had dominated in the quarters and semis.

It ended what had been a great Derby for Matt Dartnall in the worst possible way with his two runners finishing fifth and sixth. But Ruso would have won had Zafonic not gone with him to the turn, the margins can be that tight at times.

But we move on with bets to be had for the future and the clues from a great night's racing at Wimbledon on Saturday.

Cabra Boss won the Consolation in game style, and did this column a favour in the doing so.
But the dog to now take out of the race is Deanridge Fury. It wasn't the Derby campaign that connections hoped for, but he missed his break badly on Saturday but still managed to lead up with a great speed. To be out-battled by Cabra Boss was no disgrace.

Most exciting race was arguably the 668 stayers when first Droopys Zach and then Brimardon Helenswooped for glory and both should be kept on the right side of. Neither should be touched at a short price, they like a chase, but they have gears to match most of the stayers around.

Last week we made good mention of both Head Iton Ellis and Raving Black and, while the former duly won the Plate final, the latter stayed on well again. Both should be monitored.

Lenson Express getting up on the line in the invitation race was a deserved moment for the dog on a big night. Last year's finalist really is a grand servant to connections, while Platinumlancelot has been raved about here for a long while and won the Champion Hurdle in style. Get on!

But Love Lynx (pictured) is still running well and again made it difficult at times for Jason Foster's dog. He can go in again soon.

The Dorando was set up nicely for Bubbly Eagle after problems involving most of the field at the penultimate turn, but that's not decry the performance of Ted Soppitt's dog who remains lightly-raced and open to improvement. Can't wait for the TV Trophy.

The rest of the supporting card was long and informative and the dogs to keep tabs with are . .

Jimmy Lollie: showed excellent pace and denied a lead at the turn only just by winner Goldcrest Lord.
Greenfield Post: probably be kept to A1 at Wimbledon or minor open-race company, but worth a bet next time. Stayed on with purpose in a kennel sweepstakes won by Robbie Rocks.
Mountjoy Ruby: an old favourite in these columns but ran with resolution in the 460m race. With a lead, he'll be away.
Indian Valley: took a big step up in class behind Bandicoot Tipoki in the puppy race but ran a stormer.