3 minute read
Despite the below par result in the Group 1 Qipco 2000 Guineas, Auguste Rodin still looks set to compete in the Group 1 Betfred Derby at Epsom Downs on Saturday week, 3 June.
Despite the below par result in the Group 1 Qipco 2000 Guineas, Auguste Rodin still looks set to compete in the Group 1 Betfred Derby at Epsom Downs on Saturday week, 3 June.
Finishing twelfth of fourteen when favourite in the Newmarket classic leading Irish trainer, Aidan O'Brien has retained full faith in Auguste Rodin.
The son of Deep Impact who is by Rhododendron (runner-up in the 2017 Epsom Oaks behind Enable) enjoyed a highly successful two-year-old season with three victories beginning with a Naas maiden over 7f, the Group 2 KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes in September at Leopardstown and the Group 1 Vertem Futurity Trophy at Doncaster a month later.
O'Brien said after the Newmarket run, described the race as a "non-event" after he suffered interference in the early stages.
Auguste Rodin remains second favourite behind Military Order for the Epsom Derby and the handler is still upbeat.
He said: "The Derby is always about the one horse, really – and always has been. Everything he has always done has been exceptional.
"I think we just have to put a line through the Guineas and put it out of our heads.
"I think he got banged into and wiped out another. Because that happened, Ryan got caught in a pocket and it just didn't happen.
"Ryan did the right thing."
The three-year-old holds entries in the Irish 2000 Guineas next Saturday, the Irish Derby, a pair of entries at Royal Ascot and the Eclipse at Sandown in July.