Features / Timeform / 07 June 2010 / Leave a comment Free £25 Bet

Timeform's Perspective entries on the Derby, won impressively by Workforce...

"WORKFORCE has been highly regarded all along and justified his reputation and more by winning this premier classic in supreme style..."

With some high-profile absentees, notably long-time ante-post favourite St Nicholas Abbey (reportedly stiff) and impressive Dante winner Cape Blanco (went for Prix du Jockey Club instead), the 2010 Derby had a slightly depleted feel, with no French representative, either, though still half of the twelve were already Group winners and, in event, it surpassed expectations by some way, at least as regards the winning performance, Workforce's romp on a par with the top-class effort of Authorized 3 years earlier, and the exceptional time (broke Lammtarra's track record from 1995 by nearly a second) fully substantiates his achievements. The bare form amongst those behind isn't entirely reliable, however, as a number were caught out as the runner-up committed and went several lengths clear after around four furlongs out, Rewilding in particular shaping better than the result as one of a few that seemed uncomfortable on the track, and he's worth rating second best with that in mind.

WORKFORCE has been highly regarded all along and justified his reputation and more by winning this premier classic in supreme style less than a month after being defeated in the Dante, announcing himself as not only the outstanding colt of his generation (acknowledging the absentees), but up there with the best of the older horses, too, and, having made such vast progress in just three career starts, it's unlikely to be his limit. There were some doubts over the suitability of this trip beforehand, connections even stating early in the year that he was unlikely to take a middle-distance route (by a miler), but Workforce's style, along with the dam's side of his pedigree, suggested a stiffer test would suit and he duly thrived for the longer distance, though equally, he's not short of speed, within himself in rear and quickening sharply on the turn in, going from seventh to second in a matter of strides before grabbing the pacemaker and powering clear. It's also worth reaffirming what an impressive looker he is, standing out just as much as he had at York this day, and he's a fluent mover, too. A decision is yet to be made on where he goes next but, with the Irish Derby just three weeks away, Workforce may be saved for a clash with his elders, most likely kept to this trip for the King George, where he should prove a match for Coronation Cup winner Fame And Glory.

AT FIRST SIGHT undoubtedly took a step forward from his trial defeats in Ireland, comfortably beaten by stablemate Midas Touch in the Derrinstown last month but turning that form around in no uncertain terms, and though his 'pacemaker' tag was taken too literally by the rest of the field, essentially ignored when quickening clear around halfway without taking much out of himself (still eight lengths ahead approaching the last three furlongs), he is clearly a very smart colt in his own right, seeing the longer trip out well for all he was obviously no match for the winner.

REWILDING enhanced his reputation in defeat and is a high-class prospect, as he shaped like the second best on the day, achieving as much as he did despite not being at ease on the track, whilst coming from a poor position, too, held up and wide for the most part and hanging badly on the turn in, gathering his full momentum only after veering towards the rail, the winner away and gone once he was in flow, finishing with more to give. An attractive colt who took the eye beforehand, he's a major candidate for the St Leger, with no stamina doubts at all.

JAN VERMEER made a big impression with his easy win in the Gallinule, his position at the head of the betting fully justified for all he was re-routed here from the Prix du Jockey Club after the defection of stablemate St Nicholas Abbey, and he is certainly better than he was able to show, the track possibly catching him out, going just as well as Workforce into the straight but unable to pick up, though Murtagh wasn't hard on him in the finish, presumably with other days in mind (later reported to have lost both front shoes). A smooth traveller, he won't be inconvenienced by a drop back in trip.

MIDAS TOUCH won only a weak renewal of the Derrinstown, acknowledging the runner-up here At First Sight had finished third that day, himself failing to climb any higher, though shaping well to a point, unable to accelerate but holding his place through the last two furlongs, in a promising way with a view to longer trips, the St Leger a more realistic classic for him. A lengthy colt, he remains with some physical scope.

AL ZIR isn't up to Group 1 company, but he's a smart colt and faced with a more realistic task he may still do better, forced very wide into the straight here and sticking to his task.

COORDINATED CUT may not quite have peaked yet and remains likely to win more good races this season, almost matching his Dante third here despite not being seen to best effect, in last place under four furlongs out and making up most ground in the last two furlongs, proposing a step up to a mile and three quarters at some stage, while a return to more conventional tracks are sure to be in his favour.

BUZZWORD is reliable and versatile, faring as well as could have been expected up four furlongs in trip here, but it'll be in listed/minor Group company that he'll be a force.

HOT PROSPECT was out of his depth and never got involved, though even in calmer waters he's one to treat with a degree of caution, underlining his edgy nature by boiling over in the preliminaries, sweating/on edge and even parading out of line.

AZMEEL handled the tight bends at Chester with aplomb when winning the Dee Stakes but wasn't at ease here, the run best ignored, so he may still progress further.

TED SPREAD's Chester Vase win left him with a lot to find but he wasn't happy at any stage, ridden before halfway, the firmer ground most likely to blame given he's handled both Goodwood and Chester.

BULLET TRAIN's progress had been ongoing in three previous starts and may yet resume, as all clearly wasn't right with him here, in second place with four furlongs left but stopping sharply and eased.

Tags: At First Sight, Derby, Rewilding, Workforce