Paul Ferguson has two selections for us on Saturday; Australia in the Derby & Pasaka Boy in the Epsom 4:50. Compare odds and bet.
Being by a Derby winner out of an Oaks winner, 2,000 Guineas third Australia (4:00) is bred to relish 1m4f around Epsom and he is taken to give Aidan O’Brien a third Derby in a row.
The Galileo colt beat those racing on his side at Newmarket, where he did little wrong, and today’s extra half-mile is expected to bring about considerable improvement. The chestnut has always been held in the highest regard by his powerful connections and he can live up to the hype this afternoon. He was trading at 13-8 overnight.
Earlier on the card, the opening handicap is traditionally a warm three-year-old contest and today’s renewal looks well up to standard. Galizzi and Black Shadow are the two I like here, but the race is probably best watched – it looks certain to throw up plenty of future winners.
That race was won by 12 months ago by Pasaka Boy (4:50) and, off just a 2lb higher mark, Jonathan Portman’s four-year-old is fancied to run another big race at the track.
The day’s second selection shaped better than the bare form might suggest on his return here in April, before finishing a respectable fourth behind the smart Clever Cookie at York’s Dante meeting.
Though he has stamina to prove, he gives the impression that 1m4f should be right up his street nowadays and he looks worthy of each-way support, with Bet Victor opening up 14-1 on Friday evening.
Saturday’s selections:
4:00 Epsom Australia
4:50 Epsom Pasaka Boy
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