Casual could yet conquer Epsom
by Michelle Fortune, 15 May 2008
Casual Conquest could, after all, run in the Vodafone Derby after his owners hinted that they are considering supplementing him for the Classic.
Dermot Weld's colt is not entered in the blue riband but is the ante-post favourite [with a run] with many firms following his six-length win in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial last weekend.
Casual Conquest's inexperience could persuade Weld to bypass the race in favour of a tilt at the Irish or French equivalent but his owners, Moyglare Stud, have indicated that they are willing to pay the £75,000 fee required to enter the Epsom Classic.
"He still has his options open and it's a possibility to go to Epsom, but he's just had the two runs and he might just be a little inexperienced," said stud manager Stan Cosgrove.
"We'll see how everything goes for a while - we only need to supplement him four days before the race."
Tartan Bearer's Dante Stakes triumph impressed many bookmakers but the Casual Conquest's effortless win at Leopardstown is being regarded as the best trial to date.
Cosgrove was delighted with the performance but he will leave the final decision on Epsom up to Weld.
"He annihilated them[ at Leopardstown]. He's a great big horse and that was only his first run of the year," he added.
"It's really up to the trainer and the jockey [to make a decision about supplementing]. Regarding the money, there's no problem with that."