Weld looking forward to getting Rakan started

Dermot Weld will seek a tenth victory in the Group Three Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes when he sends Rakan into battle for the €100,000 contest which heads a top-class card at Leopardstown this Sunday.

The Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned Rakan, who holds entries in both the Investec Derby and the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, created a big impression on his second start last autumn when running out an impressive winner of a mile maiden at Leopardstown.

“He’s a nice colt who was a good winner of his maiden at Leopardstown last October. He did have a little hold up during the winter but he’s ready for a run and I’m looking forward to getting him started for the season on Sunday,” said Weld who sent out the colt’s dam, Tarfasha, to finish second in the 2014 Epsom Oaks.

Joseph O’Brien and owner Lloyd Williams will be hoping to combine for another big race success as they are set to rely on the once raced Buckhurst. This son of the 2014 dual Derby hero Australia looked a colt with a fine future when he got up late on to win a mile maiden at Leopardstown last month.

"Buckhurst is in good shape although it is a big ask for him in this race on only his second ever start," O'Brien admitted. "We want to give him every chance of being an English Derby horse so he'll go to the Derrinstown and we'll take it from there with him but he's in good form at home."

Aidan O’Brien, who has won the race on eleven occasions, is responsible for seven of the 14 acceptors. He reported earlier this week that his challenge for the race was likely to be made up of last season’s Beresford Stakes winner Japan, the National Stakes runner-up Anthony Van Dyck and Broome who was a hugely impressive winner of the Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown last month.

A total of ten fillies are engaged in the Group Three Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial and these include Dean Street Doll who looked a bright prospect for trainer Richard O’Brien when she made a winning comeback at Limerick recently. Other notable entries include the Listed-placed Mia Mento, the Cork maiden winner Lady Wannabe and the talented Trethias, whose form last season includes a victory over the leading Oaks fancy Pink Dogwood.

Meanwhile the Group Three Comer Group International Amethyst Stakes has attracted a quality turnout. David O’Meara’s former Grade One winner Suedois, who also won the Boomerang Mile over this course and distance in 2017, is joined in the line up by fellow English raider and Group Two winner Addeyb. The home defence includes last year’s Derrinstown winner Hazapour, the 2018 Amethyst scorer Zihba and the 2017 National Stakes scorer Verbal Dexterity.