The Group II Dante Stakes (1m2 ½ f) was run overnight with another favourite rolled and the winner not entered for the Epsom Derby, but his trainer William Haggas may supplement the Night of Thunder colt into the iconic Classic next month.
Race favourite was the Godpolphin owned Dubawi colt Ancient Wisdom, but he was made to look second rate when Economics let down to win by six lengths.
Fourth at his only start last year, Economics won a maiden at Newbury on his seasonal return and looked a star in the making with this dominant win under Tom Marquand.
Economics was entered for the Epsom Derby, but taken out of the race at the second entry stage last month.
There is a supplementary stage six days before the Derby when it would be possible to get Economics back into the field with a £75,000 late fee, so connections have a bit to consider.
“We took him out because we didn’t think he’d stay and I’m still not sure he would,” Maureen Haggas said.
“He’s beautiful, but still a baby. I think the more he races, the more switched on he’ll become, and 10 furlongs will be his best trip. I thought he looked a bit all over the place in the final furlong, he’s a big horse and this is just his third race. You’ve got to be switched on to go around there, it’s a big ask for any horse and he’s an inexperienced, big baby.”
Economics was bought for 160,000 guineas at the Tattersalls October Book 2 Yearling Sale by Highclere Agency and runs for Sheikh Isa Salman al Khalifa.
He is the first stakes-winner among three winners from Group II winning Peintre Celebre mare La Pomme D’Amour, who was effective up to 2500m.
Economics is the 46th stakes-winner for Dubawi’s Group I winning son Night of Thunder, who stands at Darley at a fee of €100,000.
Blue Point colt Big Evs was a very busy youngster last season starting six times and ended his season with a win in the US at the Breeders’ Cup meeting winning the Group I Juvenile Turf Sprint.
He showed he’d be a force in the upcoming sprint races when returning to win the Listed Westow Stakes (5f) at York by a length and a half for Tom Marqand.
“Big Evs has not grown much but he's filled out a lot. He's like a bull now and Tom said ‘he's as good as he was in California, if not better’,” said his trainer Mick Appleby.
“He just missed the break a bit and fell out the stalls, but Tom took his time on him. From two to three you just never know, but he was still showing the signs at home that he's still got it and he showed us that on the track too. I'd think he'll go for the King Charles III Stakes next. He is in at Haydock [Temple Stakes] but I think that comes too quick and we don't need to run him again. It's more than likely he'll go straight to Ascot.”
Big Evs has won five of seven starts and won the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot last year.
Bred by Rabbah Bloodstock, Big Evs was a 50,000 guinea purchase from the Tattersalls October Book 2 Yearling Sale for Michael Cleere and runs for RP Racing.
He is one of five stakes-winners for Blue Point, who is on the Darley Victoria roster at a fee of $44,000.
