Trainer Ed Walker remains hopeful that Waipiro can be competitive in the Epsom Derby, despite being second behind Military Order in the Listed Lingfield Derby Trial Stakes.
Trainer Ed Walker remains hopeful that Waipiro can be competitive in the Epsom Derby, despite being second behind Military Order in the Listed Lingfield Derby Trial Stakes.
Disappointing on debut at Kempton Park as a juvenile, Waipiro returned after an absence with a comfortable three-and-a-half-length success in a novice stakes over ten furlongs at Newmarket.
Waipiro was intended to make his reappearance at Newmarket's Guineas meeting but was forced to be withdrawn at the start due to jockey Tom Marquand being kicked by another horse on the way to post.
The son of Australia was subsequently rerouted to the Listed Lingfield Derby Trial Stakes.
Waipiro was ridden prominently by Rob Hornby and did little wrong, keeping eventual winner Military Order to within one-and-a-quarter lengths at the line. Military Order is a general 7/2 shot for the Epsom Classic whilst Waipiro is available at 20/1.
Ed Walker said: "You have to be very pleased with his run at Lingfield. He was very relaxed and very professional. He performed to a high level and it was a satisfying run.
"I think he stamped himself as a high-class colt there as he gave the Derby favourite a good run for his money and you have to be pleased with that.
"The race didn't go as smoothly in the last couple of furlongs as it did for the winner, who looks a very good horse, and he is bred for the job and he is a very worthy favourite for the Derby. Military Order was dominant in the last 100 yards and we are going to have to make another significant step forward to beat him, but I don't think it is impossible for him to turn it around.
"I think the void is the massive difference in price. I'd imagine, in an open Derby, he might attract attention from punters having an each-way bet. I certainly wouldn't put anyone off having an each-way bet on him.
"I think he will handle the track and the occasion. He can get a bit warm at home and I wouldn't be worried seeing him get a bit warm in the preliminaries. He is most likely going to wear a red hood to post to help keep a lid on him a bit, because he was a bit noisy at the start at Lingfield. He is generally a very relaxed horse and a professional horse."
