Goodwood's trial run

13 April 2012

Tomorrow's Derby trial at Goodwood has, like the race course that stages it, a new look. The £35,000 Compass UK Leisure Predominate Stakes has moved about a bit in distance since its inception in 1970.

Until 1987 it was run over a mile and a half, the measure of our major Classic at Epsom, then switched back to 10 furlongs. But this year it steps up to a mile and three, which could be just the ticket for Wareed, one of Godolphin's strong hand in the Derby.

Clerk of the Course and general manager Rod Fabricius explains: "When we canvassed the opinion of some leading Flat trainers in the autumn, they were in favour of the Predominate being run over the new distance because it makes use of the easier lower bend into the straight rather than the tighter top bend.

During spells of dry weather, the top bend can also ride faster which carries a greater risk of jarring at such an early stage in the season.

"The less testing and more gradual contours of the lower bend will mitigate against the increase in distance."

The upping in trip should suit Wareed, representing Godolphin's "Boys in Blue". The colt was trained in France last season by David Loder and raced just once, in a six-runner newcomers event at Longchamp in October. Partnered by Frankie Dettori, he ran out an easy six-length scorer from Blue Steller and was then sent off to Dubai for the winter.

Dettori has "almost" decided that his Derby mount will be Celtic Silence but if Wareed wins convincingly at Goodwood after moving sweetly on the Newmarket gallops of late, Frankie could just be persuaded to change his choice.

The main meeting, with prize money of more than £400,000, will be covered fully by the BBC after an interval of many years, and the three days also include the Victor Chandler Lupe Stakes, a trial for Oaks fillies on Wednesday, and a 10-furlong race which also had a trip change when it was extended to a mile and a half from 1981 to '83.

John Dunlop, who trains at nearby Arundel, is also a director at Goodwood and boasts the best record in the Lupe, having provided five winners. It looks as if he will be without a runner this time, so it could be left to his son, Ed, to keep up the family tradition with Candice, who was pulled out of an Oaks trial at Newbury last Friday because of the soft going there.

At around the 10-1 mark for the Classic, the daughter of Caerleon was only a neck behind subsequent 1000 Guineas winner Ameerat when third to Karasta in the May Hill Stakes at Doncaster last year after winning her maiden at Chepstow.

Goodwood will be unveiling the results of their £5 million building project at this, their first meeting of the year.

The extensive work, designed by architects Michael Hopkins & Partners, has provided a new underground weighing room, increased the winners' enclosure by 50 per cent and created a natural amphitheatre, opening up even more spectacular views of the parade ring and beyond to the coast.

Course chairman the Duke of Richmond said: "We have undertaken an extensive consultation process with all interested parties from the Levy Board, to the course doctor, from the Jockey Club to the valets, the jockeys themselves to the clerk of the scales. With input from these and others, we consider that we have built a new range of buildings and areas which will give pleasure to many for years to come."

John Dunlop is holding his Charity Open Morning at Castle Stables, Arundel, on Sunday 3 June from 10am-1pm, admission £5 adults, £1 senior citizens and children.

Proceeds will be split between the horse racing charity Racing Welfare, and the Chestnut Tree House Appeal, based at Worthing, aiming to build a children's hospice. Dunlop has one of the strongest and largest collection of thoroughbreds (180 plus) in Europe, and the majority of his string will be on show.

Goodwood's trial run

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