I’VE never been much of a Bonnie Tyler fan but, like her, I’m holding out for a hero.
The stuttering Flat season definitely needs one and, hopefully, Auguste Rodin can prove to be that and more by winning tomorrow’s Irish Derby at The Curragh, live on ITV.
PAAuguste Rodin can make it back to back Derby victories with success in Ireland on Sunday[/caption]
While Japan star Equinox continues to look like a monster on shores far away from here, it’s been hard to find a superstar in Europe who can truly blow the mind.
Royal Ascot was good for sure, but was it great?
Yes, there were some truly memorable moments — notably The King’s winner Desert Hero and Frankie’s Gold Cup glory on Courage Mon Ami.
And it was wonderful to see Julie Camacho take on the big boys and win the Commonwealth Cup with Shaquille — given a brilliant ride by Oisin Murphy.
However the other big sprints went to Khaadem and Bradsell — admirable speedsters but not vintage.
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Triple Time is obviously promising after his Queen Anne success and Paddington — well backed for next Saturday’s Coral-Eclipse this week — continues his upward curve following a win in the St James’s Palace.
Like Auguste Rodin, Paddington could yet be the summer hero.
Tahiyra did just enough in the Coronation although Mawj, the 1,000 Guineas heroine, was absent.
And then we come to Mostahdaf — another Eclipse possible for a race which should also feature Coronation Cup romper Emily Upjohn — who burst onto the big-race seen in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes.
However this big boy will have to do it again before supporters will become true believers.
Auguste Rodin’s Derby form, however, is looking rock solid.
That utter beast of a horse King Of Steel — half a length second to Auguste Rodin at Epsom — franked it when he made them look like spuds in the King Edward.
And Waipiro — who will now go to race in Hong Kong — was another Royal Ascot winner to come out of the Derby when taking the Hampton Court.
Yet, would any of the above truly put bums on seats? Not yet.
So come on brilliant Epsom hero Auguste Rodin — show us what you are made of tomorrow.
Aidan O’Brien’s colt will be long odds-on for the Group 1 test which, at face value, means some will say even in victory the success won’t tell us much.
But I’m not so sure about that.
The opposition is strong enough to at least suggest if Auguste Rodin does something special then we are in the presence of a great.
And the son of Deep Impact out of the Galileo mare Rhododendron has always promised to be a spectacular performer.
We saw the possibility as a two-year-old when he won the Champion Juvenile Stakes at the Curragh and the Futurity at Doncaster.
O’Brien — seeking a 100th Classic win in Europe — has told everyone time and time again just how highly he rates him.
He will surely confirm Epsom form with the third and fourth home that day White Birch and Sprewell.
I hope Auguste Rodin does something spectacular. Oddly he will be trying to give Ryan Moore a first Irish Derby win.
Not many would have thought he hadn’t lifted the mighty prize so far in his illustrious career.
Staying handicaps are the big betting pull on ITV today.
And I think the man to follow up at Newcastle is Ian Williams — a naughty devil at the best of times but no doubt a shrewd and talented trainer!
The Northumberland Plate and the Vase are the punting races.
Competitive affairs that they are, I wish they were still on grass.
That said we did have an absolute thriller in the Plate last year with Trueshan humping a huge weight.
Williams saddles BLOW YOUR HORN (1.30) in the Vase and he finished third at York last year off 80 so could still easily be a well handicapped horse off just 77 despite being on a four-timer under Richard Kingscote.
The recent Pontefract winner stays all day and has a good draw to work from. He finished third in this race in 2021 off a mark of 87. He could be thrown in.
In the main event Williams has LAW OF THE SEA (2.05) who has a great draw and is again under Kingscote.
The lightly- raced runner recently stepped up to staying trips but, since doing so, has been fourth in a Chester Cup when denied a clear run and in the same position in the Ascot Stakes where he raced very wide.
He’s another who could still be well-in.
Of course, the Plate is affectionately known as the Pitmen’s Derby.
Two Derbys in two days to lay down the law.
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