From Racing Post:
Camelot heads strong cast for Dante Stakes
By Andrew Scutts 11:27AM 4 APR 2012
THE reputation of York's Dante Stakes as the premier Derby trial was underlined on Wednesday, when the May 17 stepping stone attracted half a dozen more entriesthan last year led by Epsom favourite Camelot.
The hugely impressive Racing Post Trophy winner, who is 5-2 favourite for both the Investec Derby and Qipco 2,000 Guineas, could head to Newmarket earlier in May, although trainer Aidan O'Brien has not committed to running him in the 1m Classic.
Camelot is one of 76 Betfred Dante entries, along with stablemate Daddy Long Legs, who won at Meydan and is slated for the Kentucky Derby, while Sir Henry Cecil has entered Frankel's brother Noble Mission and ultra-promising Wrotham Heath.
Marco Botti could be represented by the unbeaten Kingsdesire and he said: âWe have spoken to the owner and said, âWould you mind if we give him an entry into the Dante?â and he said, âLetâs do itâ.
"The horse is also in the French Derby and we will see how he progresses."
George Primarolo, spokesman for Betfred, said: "The Betfred Dante Stakes is a proven Derby trial with three of the past eight winners going on to win at Epsom and the quality of this year's entry means that we could well be seeing another potential Classic colt on the Knavesmire this spring."
By Andrew Scutts 11:27AM 4 APR 2012
THE reputation of York's Dante Stakes as the premier Derby trial was underlined on Wednesday, when the May 17 stepping stone attracted half a dozen more entriesthan last year led by Epsom favourite Camelot.
The hugely impressive Racing Post Trophy winner, who is 5-2 favourite for both the Investec Derby and Qipco 2,000 Guineas, could head to Newmarket earlier in May, although trainer Aidan O'Brien has not committed to running him in the 1m Classic.
Camelot is one of 76 Betfred Dante entries, along with stablemate Daddy Long Legs, who won at Meydan and is slated for the Kentucky Derby, while Sir Henry Cecil has entered Frankel's brother Noble Mission and ultra-promising Wrotham Heath.
Marco Botti could be represented by the unbeaten Kingsdesire and he said: âWe have spoken to the owner and said, âWould you mind if we give him an entry into the Dante?â and he said, âLetâs do itâ.
"The horse is also in the French Derby and we will see how he progresses."
George Primarolo, spokesman for Betfred, said: "The Betfred Dante Stakes is a proven Derby trial with three of the past eight winners going on to win at Epsom and the quality of this year's entry means that we could well be seeing another potential Classic colt on the Knavesmire this spring."
