3 minute read
John & Thady Gosden enjoyed further Epsom Derby weekend success with Torito (4/1) creating a sizeable impression in landing the Lester Piggott Handicap.
It looked like a fiercely competitive three-year-old handicap on paper, but the son of Kingman made a mockery of his opening mark to land the spoils for rider Benoit De La Sayette.
The well-fancied 4/1 shot was settled nicely in midfield for much of the contest and could be spotted travelling kindly under Benoit De La Sayette. The young rider asked his mount for more approaching the final two furlongs and although he took a little time to get organised down the camber, the result was inevitable as Torito began to lengthen away for a resounding two-and-a-half-length victory. It was a performance that would suggest this Colt was well ahead of his mark and a trip to Royal Ascot will surely be on the cards.
South African-born trainer Dylan Cunha will be pleased with his runner, Silver Sword (14/1), who stayed on nicely to finish second while Ralph Beckett's handicap debutant Balance Play (4/1) filled the third spot.
John Gosden, part of the winning training partnership, said: "He got the perfect Lester Piggott ride which is the way you like to ride Epsom, sitting fourth, fifth with one horse inside and options to move when you want.
"He's (de la Sayette) a very talented young man, he's been a pleasure to work with and overcame early adversity in his life and is stronger and wiser for it; he rides extremely well and I wanted to bring him here today and he's not claiming any allowance anymore. he's got a lot of talent and a lot of good trainers give him backing. It's very difficult for these apprentices, when they lose their allowance they can fall off a cliff and he deserves a lot better than that.
"It's important for him to be here and I'm very keen that he learns, he's still young, and any opportunity you can give young riders is good and there are a lot of other fine young riders around too."
The Golden Gates Handicap at Royal Ascot could now be on the agenda for Torito with Gosden adding: "I'd like to (go to Royal Ascot), he'll probably get bumped a few pounds and that was a nice race in its own right. I think a mile and a quarter is his trip, the other horse (Maasai Ran) we ran needs a little further."
