By Peter Moore at Newbury 11th April 2025
Trainer Owen Burrows is dreaming about the prospect of the Betfred Derby after Gethin posted another impressive performance in the Class 2 Darley EBF Novice Stakes on the opening day of Newbury’s flat season.
A six length debut winner at Nottingham last year in heavy ground, the three-year-old found the easier ground no problem after pulling away to win by 3 ½ lengths under Callum Rodriguez.
Burrows expects Gethin to run again before the Derby, but when asked if Classic dream is alive he said: “Definitely, based on what he’s done now.
“He’s in the Dante and I liked this race as it gives us a bit of time. There’s Chester, Lingfield and York, so we can dream and see what’s what. We’ll see what the opposition is but he’s a well-balanced horse and it’s a Derby, isn’t it.”
Ralph Beckett could target Royal Ascot after Moon Over Miami made it 3 wins from 3 on the turf after getting up to get the better of Charging Thunder in the 2m ½ f Class 2 handicap.
The four-year-old was unbeaten last year but he had failed to get off the mark in three outings on the all-weather this term. However, Beckett is hoping he is back to his usual zest after a few issues and is eyeing a run at the royal meeting in June.
Beckett said: “He’s a complicated horse. He’s not been easy and we’ve had to train him in a certain way, so it’s been a long road. He’s talented but he’s had his trials.
“The all-weather didn’t suit him. He lugged right throughout the race, so that rules him out of the Chester Cup, but he might be one for the Queen Alexandra. He might stay really well.”
Clive Cox produced his first two year old winner of the season when Inca Heights just got the better of Private Affair in the opener on the card.
A first success in the 7f maiden fillies stakes could see Consecrated step up to Listed company following an impressive 4 length victory with Cieren Fallon aboard.
Maureen Haggas, wife of winning trainer William, said: “She’s a beautifully bred filly and you hope they’d come out and do something like that.
“Cieren [Fallon, rider] couldn’t pull her up and she’s going to get further. We’ll probably step her up to a mile next time, and we might look at the Listed Michael Seely at York.
Newcomer for the Andrew Balding yard, Serenity Prayer made a winning debut under champion jockey Oisin Murphy in the 1m 2f maiden fillies stakes.
Back In Black proved a consistent colt last season as a two year old. Despite being off for 211 days, the horse picked up from where he left off by defeating Shout by two lengths in the Class 2 7f handicap.