Arc bound Harzand dig deeps to win Irish Derby

EPSOM Derby winner Harzand has made it a classic double by taking out the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby is a tight tussle.

It had to fight off Epsom Derby placegetter Idaho which challenged strongly in the straight, but Harzand rallied back to score by a half-length over the Aidan O’Brien-trained runner.

Winning trainer Dermot Weld used a pacemaker, which is illegal in European racing, and it did the job as Ebediyin ran a strong gallop with Harzand sitting just off the speed.

WilliamHill.com.au

Jockey Pat Smullen was elated with the win and suggested it could take on the world’s best in the Prix de I’Arc de Triomphe.

“He’s such a great horse, he’s got such courage and determination,” Smullen said. “Ryan [Moore, on Idaho] came with one good determined run, I needed this horse to dig deep for me and he did – how good is he?

“This matches Epsom, in front of our home crowd.

“The pressure was on and we pulled it off.

“He’s a dual Derby winner now. He’s so courageous. You can give horses good rides, bad rides – but when they’re as good as this lad and they’re as determined as this horse it just makes it easy. There’s no knowing where this horse will end up.

“He’s so tough and he’s not just tough, he’s got pace. He’s a very, very good horse and I’d love to think he’d be an Arc horse.”

Trainer Dermot Weld confirmed Smullen’s thoughts and will set the son of Sea The Stars for the Prix de I’Arc de Triomphe where it is a current $7 chance at Bet365.com.au.

“I knew Aidan [O’Brien] would have his horse better than at Epsom so I knew our horse had to be better than at Epsom to win again,” Weld said.

“He ran a magnificent race. He showed the speed that he has today. People were saying he didn’t have speed, well you saw it today.

“Those two horses really picked up and quickened. Idaho is a high-class horse, he’s always been that and he was at his best today. It was a great day, a great ride – a special day. It was a proper horse race.

“He’ll have a good break now and we’ll train him for the Arc.”

Sportsbet.com.au

Winning owner Aga Khan was also pleased with the result.

“This horse is very good. It’s a wonderful family and we checked him with all our mares and he’ll mate very well with them, so we’re looking forward to when he goes to stud and we’ll be right behind him,” Aga Khan said.

“Things are shaping up very well. I’m not sure we really know his limits. Neither at Epsom nor here, I don’t think we’ve seen the best of this horse, he can do more.”

2016 Prix de I’Arc de Triomphe market

Postponed – $6
Harzand – $7
Minding – $9
US Army Ranger – $11
Order Of St George – $11
New Bay – $13
La Cressonniere – $13
Duramente – $15
Found – $17
A Shin Hikari – $17
Makahiki – $17
Almanzor – $17
Idaho – $21
Fascinating Rock – $21
Santono Diamond – $21
Flintshire – $26
Zelzal – $26
Mekhtaal – $26
Ulysses – $26
Erupt – $34
Foundation – $34
Free Eagle – $34
Johannes Vermeer – $34
Ultra – $34
Wings Of Desire – $34
Exosphere – $34
Maniaco – $34
Moonlight Magic – $34
Ballydoyle – $41
Deauville – $51
Emotionless – $51

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