Handicapper questions Abbey stamina British Horseracing Authority two-year-old handicapper Matthew Tester believes Derby favourite St Nicholas Abbey is far from certain to stay a mile and a half on the first Saturday in June. Aidan O'Brien's son of Montjeu rocketed to the head of the market when taking his winning sequence to three in the Racing Post Trophy last October. His exploits on the track last year earned him a rating of 124 in the 2009 World Thoroughbred Rankings, handsomely clear of nearest rival Passion For Gold (120). Only New Approach, Johannesburg, Xaar and Fasliyev were given higher ratings as juveniles in the past 14 years. Tester said: "124 is very high for a Racing Post Trophy winner and he is a very good champion. The last four champions have all gone on to win a Classic and I would say he is odds-on to win a Classic in 2010. "Luca Cumani trained his sister (Cascata), who didn't stay a mile and a half, according to the handicappers, so to make him the 5/2 favourite for the Derby is an act of faith." Reflecting on St Nicholas Abbey's rating, he continued: "Canford Cliffs and Arcano didn't run again after August and there was a five-way finish in the Dewhurst, so I would be surprised if anyone could come up with a better two-year-old than St Nicholas Abbey." "He is rated significantly higher than Authorized, Motivator and High Chaparral, who all went on to win a Derby. Special Duty was the champion filly and there is every reason to believe she will go on and produce it next time. The last six champion fillies have won eight Classics and an Arc."
