From the RP tonight....riding arrangements for O'Briens lot.
Authorized team unfazed by O'Brien's eight-strong challenge
by Jon Lees
THE AUTHORIZED camp was hoping to avoid a tactical onslaught from Ireland after Aidan O'Brien revealed plans on Wednesday to run eight horses against the odds-on favourite in the Vodafone Derby at Epsom on Saturday.
Saleh Al Homaizi, part owner of Authorized, told the Racing Post that he believed the sporting nature of O'Brien's operation would hold sway in a contest the whole world will be watching to see if Frankie Dettori can win his first Derby.
Al Homeizi said of the Ballydoyle challenge: “That's racing. It could be eight horses from other people.”
Asked if he feared the prospect of being outdone by tactics with so many runners from a single yard, he said: “I hope not.
“I don't think they will do such a thing as they are in sport and Authorized is by their stallion.
“I'm sure they would prefer to see him winning than any horse by another stallion. I hope everything goes well.”
O'Brien confirmed that all eight runners will be declared on Thursday morning, and named jockeys for each and every one.
The eight riders are all from Ireland, is in contrast to O'Brien's choice for his four runners in the Oaks, in which British-based riders Neil Callan and Martin Dwyer both take their first rides for the stable.
For the Derby, O'Brien has stayed closer to home, using five champions of Ireland and this season's championship leader among his octet.
Mick Kinane, who rode Galileo to Derby victory for O'Brien in 2001, will be on Archipenko, while Johnny Murtagh, successful aboard Sinndar for John Oxx in 2000 before winning on Ballydoyle's High Chaparral in 2002 and more recently Motivator for Michael Bell two years ago, will bid for a fourth win in the race on Eagle Mountain.
“The plan is for all eight to be declared in the morning,” said O'Brien.
“Seamie Heffernan will be on Admiralofthefleet, Wayne Lordan on Soldier Of Fortune, Pat Smullen on Mahler and Colm O'Donoghue on Yellowstone. Fran Berry will ride Acapulco and Declan McDonogh will ride Anton Chekhov.”
The ride on Anton Chekhov will be Ireland's reigning champion McDonogh's first Classic ride for Ballydoyle, and the same can be said of Berry and Lordan.
Lordan said: “I'm delighted to be part of the team. I've never ridden around Epsom before, so I'll be walking the track on Saturday morning with the rest of the team, but I'm really looking forward to Saturday.” Smullen said: “It's great to have a ride in the race and all of Aidan's would have to be respected on Saturday.
“Mahler is a tough individual and stays which is a big help around Epsom. If you're not in you can't win.”
Of the O'Brien octet, it is possible that Yellowstone could yet divert to the Prix du Jockey-Club at Chantilly on Sunday, though O'Brien appears to have pencilled in Chinese Whisper and Alexander Of Hales for that race.
Salford Mill had drifted to 69 on Betfair on Wednesday night despite having “worked brilliantly”, according to trainer David Elsworth.
Having previously expressed concern that the colt had not been working with his usual zest, Elsworth struck a more confident tone on Wednesday. The prospect of soft ground is now the bigger issue.
“Salford Mill worked brilliantly this morning and I am very pleased with him,” he said.
“Everything is okay with him. The weather is a nuisance there. It's been pouring with rain and that is not much of a comfort.”
Frankie Dettori, back in action at Sandown on Tuesday night for the first time since hurting his knee on Friday, took another day off yesterday but will ride on Thursday night at Sandown as he builds towards Saturday's reunion with hot favourite Authorized.
Having ridden four second on the Sandown card the night before, he gave up his five rides at Yarmouth and Beverley complaining the knee he damaged in a fall at Goodwood was still sore.
He is due to partner Tam Lin for Godolphin in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes and racing manager Simon Crisford said: “Frankie was quite energetic at Sandown and maybe thought that a day's rest might help. He'll be there tomorrow for us.”
Though Dettori rides for Peter Chapple-Hyam on Saturday, further rain at Epsom has increased the likelihood that Saeed Bin Suroor will saddle Eastern Anthem in the Derby.
Crisford added: “He will be declared if it is soft or worse than soft, in which case Kerrin McEvoy will ride.”