The markets for the Group I Epsom Derby and Oaks were given a shake up overnight with two serious contenders emerging from the Coolmore camp to win the Group III Chester Vase (1m 4 ½ f) and Listed Cheshire Oaks (1m 3 ½ f).
Frankel colt Benvenuto Cellini was having his first run of the year after a four start juvenile season that produced a Group II win and a third in the Group I Doncaster Futurity Trophy.
Ridden by Ryan Moore, the big flashy chestnut ran out a commanding four and half length winner and has now won three of five starts and is as short as 3-1 for the Epsom Derby.
“Benvenuto Cellini was a classy juvenile and on better ground today, Ryan [Moore] was very happy with him. He'll certainly be going to the Derby, I'd imagine,” said Coolmore partner Paul Smith.
“He's always been a very high-class horse who's shown a lot at home. He's got a beautiful stride and a beautiful temperament. Ryan said he was very focused and professional and he'd have learnt a lot.”
A homebred for the Coolmore and White Birch Farm, Benvenuto Cellini is a full brother to stakes-winning filly Giselle and is the second stakes-winner from dual Group I winning Lope de Vega mare Newspaperofrecord.
The family has already had some Classic success producing Irish Derby winner Latrobe.
The Listed Cheshire Oaks was the starting point last season for superstar filly Minnie Hauk, who went on to win three more Oaks races – Epsom, Irish and Yorkshire- and this year Aidan O’Brien won the race with Camelot filly Amelia Earhart.
She had a five start juvenile campaign which ended with a maiden win at a mile after she placed top four in her previous runs including one Group placing.
Stepped out to a staying trip and fitted with blinkers, it was a new look Amelia and she powered clear of race favourite I’m The One for Ryan Moore to win by two lengths.
“Amelia Earhart is a big and strong filly with a beautiful stride and a great temperament. She stayed the trip well and hit the line well, so you couldn't be more delighted. She'll probably go to the Oaks off the back of that,” said Paul Smith.
Amelia Earhart is the 72nd stakes-winner Camelot with two wins and three placings from six starts.
A homebred for Coolmore, she is a full sister to imported Australian Group II winner Cleveland (IRE) and is the second stakes-winner for Group III winner Venus de Milo, a half-sister by Duke of Marmalade to the dam of high class miler The Lion in Winter.
Pedigree gurus will be excited about that pedigree wiuth duplications of champion sires Danehill, Sadler's Wells and Kingmambo all with the first four removes.
