Jockeys & Trainers / Geoffrey Riddle / 01 May 2009 / Leave a comment

Geoffrey Riddle caught up with the Manton handler ahead of Delegator's run in the 2,000 Guineas.

On Thursday April 9 the odds about Delegator winning Saturday's 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket were slashed by high street bookmakers and Betfair traders alike. The Dansili colt had just put in a sparkling display on the Manton gallops for his trainer, Brian Meehan, and Victor Chandler for one were so impressed that they went 8-1 from 25-1.

"It really was a beautiful bit of work," Meehan said afterwards.

"And we are very confident about his prospects in the 2,000 Guineas."

Delegator went on to hose up in the Craven Stakes at Newmarket a week later, a performance that now sees him trade at [5.3] on Betfair for the first Classic of the season. You would love to be one of the lucky few who got on at prices in excess of [100.0] on Betfair. There are many who felt that the Craven was an inadequate test for a potential Guineas candidate, and the fact that runner-up Sans Frontiers was rated just 76, supports that view.

But Meehan is not worried about the form students who think that way, and he remains keen on his colt's chances on the Rowley Mile.

"The horse has done everything that has been asked of him and he has done it at all the right places. He's in good shape and he must have a great chance," he told betting.betfair.

The colt's finishing burst in the Craven was the most eye-catching aspect of that display, especially when you think back to last season's Dewhurst, when he struggled markedly up the hill to finish fifth behind Intense Focus.

"He was a little green going up the hill in the Dewhurst," continued Meehan.

"But he strengthened up over the winter. The Craven was a furlong further and he won that well."

When asked to name the attributes that mark Delegator out as a colt of outstanding potential, Meehan had no hesitation. He said: "I would say his strength and temperament are his best assets. He's a very strong, powerful colt."

Delegator had a breeze over five furlongs on Thursday and a canter on Friday (today) that should have him spot on to tackle the challenge of his 16 other rivals. Delegator has been drawn 15, and that puts him slap bang next to Pure Poetry [130.0] and Gan Amhras [15.5]. Along with Ouqba [23.0], in stall 17, all three have the potential to act as pace-setters or pressers.

It also means that Mastercraftsman [6.8] is close at hand, and jockey Jamie Spencer will be keen to keep an eye on the movements of Pat Smullen aboard the Aidan O'Brien runner.

Spencer is a jockey who has the ability to polarise punters' opinion, and there are many who feel that he leaves things just a little late. Meehan stressed, however, that Spencer was free to ride the race how he wanted.

"I don't really give Jamie any instructions on how to ride Delegator. He's ridden him twice and rides him a lot at home."

Although Newmarket received rain on Monday, it has been dry since then, with clerk of the course Michael Prosser feeling the need to water on Wednesday, as well as on Friday.

Meehan will walk the course on Saturday morning and if the going is anything like it was in the Craven, Delegator will take his chance. The Irishman warned, however: "If it is any quicker than it was in the Craven, we'll have to make an important decision. He's in the Irish 2,000 Guineas."

Whatever happens in tomorrow's race, Meehan still has big ambitions for the other potential star that is stabled at Manton. Crowded House is being readied for a crack at the Dante Stakes at York in just under a fortnight's time, en route to the big one at Epsom.

Like the detractors of Delegator, Meehan is quite happy to fob off any critics of his Derby prospect. There has been some suggestion that although Crowded House is by Arc winner Rainbow Quest, the influence of the miler Woodman on the dam's side indicates that he may not stay Epsom's 12 furlongs.

"I don't really have an issue with him getting the trip," Meehan continued.

"I think a Woodman mare is a bonus anyway, because Rainbow Quest was very strong over a mile and a half. I think that makes Crowded House the perfect horse. He's got the perfect blend of speed and stamina."

Of Meehan's other horses in action this weekend, he is sweet on the chances of Exclamation in the 3.50 on Sunday. The four-year-old was gelded last year, and finished a creditable fourth to Tax Free on his reappearance in the Abernat Stakes. As the handicapper left well alone afterwards, Meehan sees the Heritage handicap as an ideal opportunity to test whether Exclamation's Golden Jubilee entry is a serious one.

May is generally an important month for the development of two-year-olds, and although the Johannesburg colt Radiohead runs on Sunday, the Irishman nominated the Zafeen filly Secret Queen as the one to note down over the next few weeks.