IDEE 154. Deutsches Derby (Group 1)

JESSICA Harrington is becoming more prolific with her challengers on the European scene and provides Irish interest in the Group 1 IDEE 154. Deutsches Derby at Hamburg tomorrow when the Zhang Yuesheng-owned Pivotal Trigger will be the mount of Oisin Orr and drawn 12 in the field of 20.

The Pivotal colt was a winner over a mile and two at Roscommon at the beginning of June.

At a media morning earlier this week Harrington was upbeat on his chances. “We’re looking forward to Germany this weekend and seeing how we get on with Pivotal Trigger. You have to think outside the box!

“Apparently the ground isn’t expected to be on the fast side over there. We know he likes a little ease in the ground. He is by Pivotal and those horses seem to appreciate a cut in it.

“He’s a lovely horse, really genuine and tough.”

In the Group 3 Japan Racing Association - Derby-Trial at Baden-Baden in mid-May, the first five home reoppose. The winner was the Sarah Steinberg-trained Fantastic Moon who justified favouritism, beating Vintage Moon by four and a half lengths.

A month earlier, the Sea The Moon colt had been only third behind another of tomorrow’s runners Mr Hollywood in the Group 3 Rwettstar.de - Bavarian Classic at Munich.

Andreas Wohler has won three Derbys in the last 12 years and his challenger Straight, a son of Zarak who was third to Fantastic Moon in the May trial, looks sure to be involved too off his win in the other main trial, the Group 2 Sparkasse Kolnbonn - 188th Union-Rennen at Cologne on June 11th, where he had Mr Hollywood back in second. Wohler also saddles Wales, a Camelot colt coming off two wins.

Peter Schiergen has three wins in the last 10 years and sends out four runners - Napolitano, a son of Australia and the mount of champion rider Bauyrzhan Murzabayev, Winning Spirit, Weracru and Quality Road.

Young Irish jockey Sean Byrne rides Vintage Moon, second in that Derby-Trial at Baden-Baden, for Marcel Weiss.

Ralph Beckett runs Sandown Handicap winner If Not Now, the mount of Hector Crouch. He had previously finished third at Haydock to the Queen’s Vase winner Gregory.