Can Australia conquer Epsom?

Australia is the short-price favourite for the most famous Flat race of all – the Investec Derby at Epsom (Saturday 7 June).

Four strong

The colt is one of four Aidan O’Brien-trained horses in the race, with the Balydoyle trainer aiming for his third consecutive Epsom Derby win.

Australia comes from exceptional stock – his sire Galileo won the Derby in 2001, while his dam Ouija Board won the fillies’ equivalent, the Oaks, in 2004.

“He’s bred to stay the trip and handle the track,” says his jockey Joseph O’Brien, the son of Aidan. “He’s got plenty of pace, hopefully he’ll get the trip but it’s an unknown. His mum and dad handled the track well.”

Australia faces 15 rivals, with the main threats coming from Kingston Hill, True Story and O’Brien’s second best chance, Geoffrey Chaucer.

A new Marvel?

A total of 17 fillies will come forward for tomorrow’s Investec Oaks, which is held this year in memory of the late Sir Henry Cecil.

The joint favourites for the race are Taghrooda, trained by John Gosden and ridden by Paul Hanagan, and Marvellous, who is trained by Aidan and ridden by Joseph O’Brien.

“She won well in the Irish [1000] Guineas, you’d imagine she’d get a mile and a half. It was very heavy ground and she looked to go to the line well. Hopefully she’ll handle the better ground and get the mile and a half, she’s in with a fighting chance,” said Joseph.

Both races form part of the Qipco British Champions Series.