KINGSCLERE horse racing trainer Andrew Balding believes that he has a potential Investec Derby contender after watching Elm Park stroll to victory in the Racing Post Trophy.
The two-year-old beat second-placed Aloft by two-and-three-quarter lengths to win the final Group One race of the 2014 season at Doncaster on Saturday.
The victory took Elm Park’s record to four wins in five starts, and he is as low as 10-1 in the betting for next year’s Derby.
Saturday’s win was Balding’s first in a Group One race since he won the Oaks with Casual Look in 2003 – and the Kingsclere-based trainer has high hopes for Elm Park.
“I’m delighted, obviously, we always thought an awful lot of him,” Balding said. “He’d looked good in his previous races and it was nice to see him go and do it at the top level. He’s certainly something to look forward to.
“Any horse that wins the Racing Post Trophy is automatically considered a Derby prospect and I see no reason not to treat him as such.
“It’s been a long time since our last Group One, so it’s nice to win another.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here