Sri Diamond was rated as short as 5/1 favourite in the ante post betting market for a repeat victory, but the 7 year old was surprisingly ommitted from the final declarations.
Sri Diamond's Trainer Sylvester Kirk On The Ommission
"He has got an infection in a hind leg. We had been struggling a bit with him as he had a bit of trouble with his joints since he last ran but he was fine and all ready to go - then out of the blue came this.
He was lame this morning and we couldn't declare him. He will probably be right again in three days and it came at just the wrong time - if it had been a day earlier, we could have declared him and taken a chance, but it is just too soon.
This had been the plan since he won the race last year and we've had a lot of tears this morning. We were so looking forward to it - it's very disappointing.
Something unconnected with the trouble we have been having has come along and scuppered us. He'll probably be OK in a few days.
He's always been a bit fragile and we had a bit of trouble with a joint the last time he ran. However, the vet had been very happy with him and it's just so frustrating.
The owners have been very patient with him. That's horses, but he lives to fight another day.
It depends what happens but we've got the Magnolia Stakes on the 7th (at Kempton). That will be our next plan of attack. It's not the Winter Derby but it's a nice consolation prize if we can get him back organised for that."
"He has got an infection in a hind leg. We had been struggling a bit with him as he had a bit of trouble with his joints since he last ran but he was fine and all ready to go - then out of the blue came this.
He was lame this morning and we couldn't declare him. He will probably be right again in three days and it came at just the wrong time - if it had been a day earlier, we could have declared him and taken a chance, but it is just too soon.
This had been the plan since he won the race last year and we've had a lot of tears this morning. We were so looking forward to it - it's very disappointing.
Something unconnected with the trouble we have been having has come along and scuppered us. He'll probably be OK in a few days.
He's always been a bit fragile and we had a bit of trouble with a joint the last time he ran. However, the vet had been very happy with him and it's just so frustrating.
The owners have been very patient with him. That's horses, but he lives to fight another day.
It depends what happens but we've got the Magnolia Stakes on the 7th (at Kempton). That will be our next plan of attack. It's not the Winter Derby but it's a nice consolation prize if we can get him back organised for that."
2007 Lingfield Winter Derby Runners
01 (07) Alfie Flits
02 (01) Blue Bajan (IRE)
03 (08) Boo
04 (06) Cimyla (IRE)
05 (03) Cusoon
06 (04) Gentleman's Deal (IRE)
07 (02) Grand Passion (IRE)
08 (10) Hattan (IRE)
09 (09) Illustrious Blue
10 (12) Mighty
11 (05) Orchard Supreme
12 (11) Speedy Sam
2007 Lingfield Winter Derby Betting & Race Selection
I am expecting the unbeaten on the all-weather Gentleman's Deal, who has pulled a decent draw position in stall 4, to justify the favouritism he is vying for along with Blue Bajan (11/2) and Illustrious Blue (13/2). Gentleman's deal is currently backable at a best price of 11/2 with Betfred, Chandlers and William Hills bookmakers.
update: 2007 Winter Derby Result.
1st Gentleman's Deal - P Mulrennan 4/1 JF
2nd Grand Passion - S Drowne 25/1
3rd Illustrious Blue - P Doe 11/1
2007 Winter Derby Ante Post Odds (william hills)
Illustrious Blue 4/1, Blue Bajan 9/2, Alfie Flits 5/1, Gentlemans Deal 11/2, Cusoon 8/1, Cimyla 9/1, Hattan 10/1, Orchard Supreme 12/1, Mighty 14/1, Grand Passion 14/1, Speedy Sam 50/1, Boo 66/1. (1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3)
Sandracer Related 2007 Winter Derby Posts
♠ Winter Derby Trials And The 2007 Derby Runners, Ante Post Odds And Result
Posted at 21:14, Thursday, 22 March 2007 by
