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THE
DERBY
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The
Feature Meeting
Analysis
& Selections by
"rook"
Whether
it be "the race of the day" or a small prize round the gaffs, we
will attempt to use our knowledge of the formbook to highlight the fancied
horses participating each day and their
characteristics and requirements. Hopefully this 'second opinion' provides
you with a winner or two each day, or even reinforces your own view on a
particular may even convince you to back some of those horses which we
feel are the "ones to fear", or have decent eachway claims.
whichever is the case, we hope the information is of use to you.
SELECTIONS
- For each race, we have given you who, in our view, are the likeliest
winners; (1er _ THE WINNER?), as well as any runners who could run well at
eachway odds; (E/W ALTERNATIVE) . Any runner from our features are shown
before each race's analysis.
THE DERBY MEETING
The Epsom Derby is by far the most famous and prestigious flat race run anywhere in the world. The race gets its name as a result of the successful call of the then Lord Derby; who correctly 'won' the right to name the race, on the toss of a coin against the unfortunate Lord Bunbury.... The latter isn't forgotten though, and is remembered in the annual running of the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket's July Meeting.
The Derby is regarded as the ultimate test and usually attracts a decent field. Now in its 222nd year, having first been won in 1780 by Diomed, racing at Epsom continues to thrill and entertain. It is one of the most unique racecourses in the world, and is a thorough test of the thoroughbred.
DIVERSITY OF ATTENDEES
Tens of thousands of spectators make their way to the Epsom Derby annually to watch and experience the thrills and is a complete mix of enthusiasts, corporate groups, day trippers, gypsies and of course Royalty. It is more that just a race, The course is trying to recapture the atmosphere of the 1950's when the race was a major social occasion. Apart from the racing, free musical performances from the likes of Steps; Damage, and Atomic Kitten at the 'Derby Day Picnic', and the traditional Derby Fun Fair are being laid on to attempt to appeal to a wider audience.
THE COURSE
Epsom is left-handed. The course is shaped like a horseshoe, and from the moment the runners leave the start, they'll face a right hand bend and a rise of some 140 feet followed by about 3 furlongs level ground at the highest point of the course. Once there, they encounter the descent around Tattenham corner in a final finishing straight of 3
½ furlongs. What makes Epsom unique us the gradient her isn't level it continues to fall another 100 feet until 100 yds from home where the course finally levels before the winning post
Sprint races are run from two chutes on the course; The 5 furlong course in particular is downhill for the first couple of furlongs, and is one of the fastest courses in the country
WEIGHTS
The Derby is run over the full length of the track; a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs, and each three-year-old colt carries 9 stone. The fillies and the older horses also run the same course and distance for the Vodafone Oaks and Coronation Cup respectively.
THE RACES
There are a total of fourteen races at the Derby meeting this year including three Group 1's , a Group 3, and both Listed and Handicap races.
On the 7th June 2002 the Epsom Derby racing begins with the Vodafone Oaks Day and Vodafone Coronation Cup followed by the main event the Vodafone Epsom Derby on Saturday 8th June
2002.
OUR COVERAGE
Hopefully our coverage is entertaining and informative ... and of course hopefully we find you a few winners at the meeting !!!
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This
page was
updated on Friday June 06, 2003
at 09:33:03 AM.
THE
FEATURE MEETING
POSTING
TIME
Selections for Monday - Friday should be available after 9:30pm the previous evening, however on Saturday and Sunday due to other commitments won't be posted until after 8:30am those respective mornings unless otherwise stated. Hopefully this helps
DEDICATION
FURLONG
TO GO would like to convey our condolences to the rook, whose father,
George Edward Robertson passed away on 16th April 2003.
Mr
Robertson nurtured the rook's enthusiasm for this sport, and it was this
inspiration, which is probably behind the creation of this website. As a
permanent tribute to his memory, all the meetings covered under the
"feature Meeting" banner will be dedicated to him...
"Big
George".
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Latest
Horse racing News
Success
Stories
THE JULY MEETING
Thursday,
July 11th 2002
2:50
Weatherbys Superlative Stakes (Listed Race) £21750 added, 2yo only, 7f,
penalty £13496.60, 7 runners.
Kawagino, Magistretti, Mubeen, Celtic Sapphire, Our Teddy, and Surbiton,
appear to be the horses to consider in race two. Magistretti, [who created
a favourable impression when winning at Sandown on his debut] should
figure strongly, however I expect (hope) that Celtic Sapphire, and
Surbiton, fight this out. Celtic Sapphire, has run well on both start thus
far, most recently when staying on really well in the final quarter mile
to get within 1/2Length of Helm Bank in the Chesham Stakes at the Royal
Meeting. She should go well, however Surbiton, - who met with severe
interference in the Coventry Stakes last time out - is taken to atone for
that unlucky run.
Surbiton
obliged at 16/1.
EPSOM
Friday, June 7th 2002
KAZZIA (GER) - It is easy to understand how it was possible for Kazzia to
go into this season's 1000 Guineas unsupported as punters often
underestimate the strength of foreign form, particularly that show in
Germany or Italy. The warning signs arguably could have gone off in our
head at the beginning of the year, as you would have to ask why Godolphin
with all their riches would buy a filly who won an ordinary 7f maiden at
Hoppegarten before landing a Group 3 at San Siro last October. We now know
that to be one of their wisest purchases as this daughter of Zinaad
managed to withhold the late thrust of Snowfire to land the 1000 Guineas,
despite that race being run at a virtual crawl. She is bred to get further
and is proven on the ground...major chance!!!
Kazzia obliges at odds of
100/30
THE DERBY 2001
"Dilshaan won the Dante in good style and is my preference from this camp purely in that tactics looks to be more straightforward for him and he looks assured to stay based on York. He also has the jockey for the big occasion on board. However, for the selection I will choose Galileo. Unbeaten and untested so far his best performance came last time and the form has already been devalued. Despite this it is the potential this one holds which fires my imagination and there seems an heir of confidence in the Irish camp. Unlike Hills and Stoute he is the sole representative from the 6 entries that O'Brien left in at the recent declaration stage. There are always question marks about Saddlers Well's stock and the 12F trip but Imagine went some way to putting that theory to bed yesterday. It also goes without saying that the stable are in simply super form which is another plus. I take him to beat Dilshaan and Putra Sandhurst. Golan (I think) will come full of running but not get home"
DISCLAIMER:
In no way does "Furlong To Go!! guarantee that selections
posted above will win the specified races advertised.
They are merely an indication based on current form. Whilst
the selections, and advice are the basis by which we will
personally place our own bets, like you, any selections
that are backed, are done so at your own risk.
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