The syndicate that owns Dee Stakes winner Viren's Army will have its say about whether to join the growing list of those willing to supplement for the Investec Derby at the not-inconsiderable £75,000 asking price.
After Godolphin revealed on Monday morning that John Gosden was keen for Dee Stakes runner-up Linguistic to be supplemented for the Epsom Classic, Middleham Park Racing management knew there would be a question to answer.
Tim Palin, founder and racing manager, answered it later in the day by saying: "When the Linguistic news broke I knew what my owners were going to be thinking and I'm finalising an email concerning what they want to do. I'll be speaking to the major shareholder Kulbir Sohi.
"While we manage the horse and, along with trainer Richard Hannon, map out races, when it comes to the big financial questions it's the owners who have the say."
'Fee is prohibitive'
Before winning at Chester last Friday Viren's Army had finished third in Epsom's Derby Trial - which came with entry fees paid for the winner - behind So Mi Dar and Humphrey Bogart, who has since won Lingfield's trial.
Palin continued: "The supplementary fee is prohibitive and that's why we tried to win the trial at Epsom. If it was £15,000 to £20,000 to supplement we'd probably be throwing our hat into the ring as it looks a wide-open race this year."
Hannon, who also trains Humphrey Bogart - whose owners Chelsea Thoroughbreds confirmed on Tuesday they intend to stump up the £75,000 to add him to the Epsom Classic - thinks all recognised Derby trials should be ‘win and you're in', although Palin said he understood the reasoning for such a large supplementary fee when set against the much cheaper early yearling and two-year-old entry stages.
Italian option also being considered
Palin added that Middleham Park and Viren's Army's owners had also been considering supplementing for the Italian Derby. If the Investec Derby is ruled out, Viren's Army could contest the Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh the weekend after next, or a race at Baden-Baden at the end of the month.
After two Derby contenders emerged on Sunday in Derrinstown winner Moonlight Magic and Prix Greffulhe victor Cloth Of Stars - who would need to be supplemented - Godolphin proposed a third yesterday in the John Gosden-trained Linguistic.
John Ferguson, Godolphin's racing manager, said: "It would involve supplementing, but John is quite keen. The colt ran a very nice race at Chester and is a progressive type."
