Tregoning ponders Nayef Derby bid

A decision on whether Nayef will take his chance in the Vodafone Derby will be made early next week, trainer Marcus Tregoning revealed today.

However, Tregoning voiced his concerns that the mile-and-half trip at Epsom on June 9th might prove too taxing an examination at this stage of the colt`s career.

'The warm weather has definitely helped him, but I go back to what I`ve always said which is that he`s grown an awful lot over the winter and I think that is the main problem,' he said.

'He`s furnishing by degrees, but whether he`s really quite ready for such a stiff test as a mile and a half I wouldn`t be certain about.

'Luckily we don`t have to decide today. We will make up our minds for definite in the early part of next week. If not we`ll just give him a bit longer. He`s a big horse and needs to fill out. He is a late foal out of an old mare, so often with them the best way to go is to give them as much time as you dare.

'I want to make sure the horse performs to his peak, but when he`s ready - that`s the point - and not until. I`m sure he`s still a very nice horse and there`s no question he might well be better at four when he`ll be much stronger. Whatever happens I`m certain he`s still going to be okay.'

Nayef, a half-brother to 1989 Derby winner Nashwan, lost his unbeaten record in the Craven Stakes at Newmarket last month and then failed to live up to expectations in the Sagitta 2,000 Guineas.

Tregoning believes that Nayef would have no problems with the undulating track if owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum were to opt for an Epsom challenge.

'I think he would definitely handle the track. He`s got a beautiful action. He`ll handle the course and he`ll handle the ground if it is firm,' he added.

'The trip is the question we will all have to ponder about. We won`t know until we try.'