Sport

Verdi off to Derby

Godolphin have decided to take up the Vodafone Derby challenge with 1,000 Guineas winner Cape Verdi, giving the daughter of Caerleon…

Thu May 28 1998 - 01:00

Godolphin have decided to take up the Vodafone Derby challenge with 1,000 Guineas winner Cape Verdi, giving the daughter of Caerleon the chance to make history.

There has been much speculation about Cape Verdi's target since her impressive display at Newmarket, and she will now bid to become the first of her gender to win the premier Classic since Fifinella in 1916.

The Saeed bin Suroor-trained filly will also attempt to give Frankie Dettori his first win in the race, for which she will be supplemented at a cost of £75,000 on Saturday.

And her participation at Epsom on June 6th, alongside Godolphin's City Honours who will be ridden by John Reid, will frustrate those who backed her ante-post for the Oaks.

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Gulland and Courteous have also been named intended runners in the blue riband, as plans to send each to the French Derby have been scrapped.

Geoff Wragg gave former favourite Gulland the go-ahead to run after a trip to Epsom put to rest fears that the ground will be too firm for his colt.

Gulland topped the ante-post market after chasing home Xaar in last month's Craven Stakes at Newmarket only to be pushed out in the betting after a less than impressive win over The Glow Worm in the Chester Vase three weeks ago.

Barry Hills is still undecided over whether to reoppose with The Glow Worm, who also holds an entry in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The Paul Cole-trained Courteous, unraced since winning last month's Thresher Classic Trial at Sandown, was cut in price for the Derby by Ladbrokes from 20 to 1 to 16 to 1.

Derby Betting - William Hill: 7-4 with a run Second Empire, 9-4 Cape Verdi, 5-1 Greek Dance, 11-2 King Of Kings, 10-1 City Honours, Gulland, Saratoga Springs, 12-1 Haami, 14-1 Border Arrow, 20-1 High Rise, 25-1 Courteous, 33-1 bar.

Ladbrokes: 5-2 Cape Verdi, 9-2 Greek Dance, 5-1 King Of Kings, 8-1 City Honours & Gulland, 10-1 Haami, 14-1 Border Arrow, 16-1 High-Rise & Courteous, 20-1 bar.

Coral: 2-1 with a run Second Empire 9-4 with a run Cape Verdi, 9-2 King Of Kings, 5-1 Greek Dance, 7-1 Saratoga Springs, City Honours, 111 Gulland, 12-1 Haami, 16-1 Border Arrow, 20-1 High-Rise, 25-1 bar.