Jessica Harrington could have a Betfred Derby contender on her hands after Sprewell recorded an imperious victory in the Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown.
Following two respectable runs in maidens last term, the son of Churchill broke his duck when winning a heavy ground four-runner event at Naas in March.
That win came over a mile, but he thrived for the move up to 10 furlong here – quickening clear from Proud And Regal and Londoner shortly after a furlong out and he was still lengthening away from the running-on second Up And Under in the closing stages to finish three lengths to the good as an 8-1 shot.
He was cut in the betting for the Epsom Classic on 3 June, but the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly a day later also appears an option for the upwardly mobile colt.
"We're very, very happy. We kind of let him down after he won in Naas and he got a bit fat on us so we had to be quite hard on him the last 10 days and he’s come good today," said Kate Harrington, assistant trainer to her mother.
"He’s got fancy entries everywhere. I know it would be the owner’s dream to go to the English Derby, but we’ll see how he comes out of this. France could be an option as he is very good on soft going."
Sprewell is a colt firmly on the upgrade and follows up a recent maiden success to run away with Group 3 Derby Trial Stakes in fine style under the guidance of Shane Foley for trainer @Jessica_Racing 🥇 pic.twitter.com/1VT3ucPgqj
— Leopardstown RC (@LeopardstownRC) May 7, 2023
Zarinsk (11-2) dictated affairs to run out a convincing winner the Cornelscourt Stakes as Ger Lyons and Colin Keane enjoyed a big-race double.
The daughter of Kodiac was a classy operator at two and was not disgraced on her return here when third behind Aidan O'Brien’s Classic contender Never Ending Story over seven furlongs in the "Priory Belle" 1,000 Guineas Trial Stakes – form significantly boosted by the effort of runner-up Matilda Picotte in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.
Upped to a mile for this Group Three event, the Juddmonte-owned filly was quickly to the fore under and once Keane kicked for home rounding the home bend, she soon drew clear of the chasing pack.
"She’s honest and is surprisingly light compared to what she looks like. I don’t think ground is any issue to her. That ground is horrible, good ground would be no problem to her," said Lyons.
"It’s pure heart that keeps her doing that. I’d love her to relax more and help him get it a bit easier.
In the very next race the trainer and jockey combined to land the Group Three Amethyst Stakes with Power Under Me (9-1).
A Listed winner over course and distance last October, the five-year-old came home with a late rattle to down Fozzy Stack’s You Send Me by half a length.
"That’s more like it, but Colin said it turned into a bit of a sprint which probably suited him and maybe gives a false reading on the horse," Lyons continued.
"He’s probably between trips, not an out-an-out miler and not quick enough for the proper sprints anymore.
"He loves the ground and you can see that with his confirmation and his action."
