SINGAPORE: Dujardin Gains Ticket To The Derby

Monday, 2 July 2012: Laurie Laxon's talented four year-old stamped his arrival to the Singapore Group One, Emirates Singapore Derby on the 15th July with an impressive victory in the class three contest over 1600m this afternoon.

Dujardin Photo by Singapore Turf Club

Out of the gates, it was Laurie Laxon's second charge, Maraeti  who took them along at a pace that was steady and honest.

Dujardin  with Danny Beasley on board was a half-length slow out of the gates but quickly got into his stride and settled nicely about five lengths off the pace.

As the field began to swing for home, Danny Beasley gave Dujardin a bit of rein and in an instant was up alongside the leaders even though he was obliged to turn three wide.

Demonstrating a turn-of-foot, Dujardin found more up the straight when Beasley asked him to go away and never looked to be in danger of getting caught thereafter.

Laurie Laxon could not have been more pleased considering the circumstances and said, “he's had to do a lot in a very short period of time and I think he did that well.

“He's got a lovely, long stride on him and this will gain him a place in the Derby. He won two races back in New Zealand before coming up here and so I don't think his lack of experience in Singapore is of any concern.

“I also think he'll be better on the turf,” ended Laxon.

Beasley reiterated this. “He's a nice horse and he's improved from his last start two weeks ago,” began Beasley.

“He's settling well in Singapore and Laurie is doing a great job with him.”

“He did come up to them a bit too quickly, I thought, and I believe he'll stay the 2000m Derby trip.”

“He's very much in the league of a horse like Lightning Thief  so I think he deserves to be in the Derby line-up,” ended Beasley.

Danny Beasley will not be on Dujardin in the Emirates Singapore Derby but clearly will be keeping an eye on this son of Magic Ring who has already won over 1900m on the polytrack two weeks ago.