原帖由 活力寶蹄 於 18/7/2007 02:02 PM 發表
可能周歲價平...:fff: :jjjj:
The Derby: Mills' runners aim for a demolition Derby - By Sue Montgomery Published: 30 May 2007
The Godolphin operation, which lists 70 three-year-olds in training, has managed to unearth one runner for the Derby. Terry Mills' Loretta Lodge stable, with just 10 three-year-olds to pick from, has two still engaged in Saturday's 228th running of the premier Classic. But whatever others might think about the statistical anomaly, Mills' son and right hand Robert is not inclined to make too much of it. As a horseman he knows well the pitfalls involved in production, selection and preparation.
"Yes, my father does well with his stock," he said. "But the rule seems to be that there are no rules. Where Or When cost us Ir£26,000 as a foal, earned more than £350,000, won a Group One and became one of the best milers in Europe. But we had another one the same year who cost 220,000 guineas, managed to win one small race at Wolverhampton and was sold on for shirt buttons. He was pretty well named, really; he was called Fools Rush In."
Their two Derby candidates, Petara Bay and Kid Mambo, will emerge from a refurbished and beautifully-maintained establishment less than a mile from the famous winning post. There has been no Epsom-trained Blue Riband victor since April The Fifth scored in 1932 and for several years it has been Mills senior's avowed intent to change that.
He has to date fielded five Derby runners, though none has done better or started at a shorter price than the first, the 33-1 shot All The Way, who was fifth to Oath in 1999. He was followed in 2002 by Where Or When (6th, 66-1) and Frankies Dream (11th, 100-1), in 2003 by Let Me Try Again (7th, 50-1) and last year by Before You Go (13th, 100-1).
Mills, a 69-year-old Londoner, made his fortune in demolition and waste management, including the excavation of the Kempton Park gravel pits. His first horse, As Dug, cost 4,300gns but neither Petara Bay, at 340,000gns, nor
Kid Mambo, at 115,000gns, was from the bargain basement or carries ragged colours.
Petara Bay is a first venture into ownership for Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone, brought to this alternative horsepower through his friendship with Where Or When's owner, bookmaker John Humphreys. "They are the sort of people who can spend a lot," said Robert, "and would like a return. And we think Petara Bay is a very good horse." The colt is bred to be, being by Peintre Celebre out of the smart mare Magnificient Style, already dam of three above-average performers in Playful Act, Echoes In Eternity and Percussionist - fourth in the Derby three years ago.
He goes to Saturday's fray rather on a down note; after spiritedly beating Salford Mill at Newmarket under Dane O'Neill on his seasonal debut he flopped behind Regime in last month's Sandown Classic Trial, reluctant to load and always nearer last than first. But since, a reason has emerged. "He scoped fine before," said Robert, "but Dane said it was like riding a different horse, and sure enough, he scoped dirty two days later.
"Not wanting to go into the stalls was probably his way of telling us he wasn't feeling great. But take that run out, and he's beaten the horse who was the second favourite. He's fine now and to me, the 66-1 you can get seems very generous."
O'Neill will be back on board Petara Bay on Saturday, with Joe Fanning on Kid Mambo. The Lemon Drop Kid colt, owned by Jack Daniels, is another well-bred customer; his dam is a Storm Cat half-sister to champion miler Selkirk.
Kid Mambo, a 100-1 shot for the Derby, ran second to leading Oaks fancy Light Shift first time out this term, then third in a muddling-paced trial at Lingfield to Aqaleem, now second choice in the market.
"Petara Bay is the one with the turn of foot," said Robert, "and the other lad is the other side of the coin, the galloper who lengthens and stays. I'm not saying he'd have won at Lingfield even if there had been the true pace he needs, but he'd surely have been a clear second."
Weather conditions lightened at Epsom yesterday and both horses will be declared for the final line-up tomorrow. "If the ground did deteriorate again it would be more of a worry for Petara Bay than Kid Mambo," said Robert. "But we're on chalk here and it does dry out quickly.
"At the moment the intention is to run them both. We don't have the resources of Coolmore or the Maktoums but we're all living the same dream. And because there are no rules, there is hope."
上手練馬師似乎真係睇得隻馬幾高噃。:eee: :eee: 
