Motivator takes Epsom in stride
21/04/2005 - 08:48:09Motivator took his first steps towards Vodafone Derby glory with a gentle breeze around Epsom’s gradients under Johnny Murtagh yesterday.
And though the workout will hardly have blown away the few dozen racegoers who turned up to watch, it left connections of the Michael Bell-trained colt satisfied.
Bell puffed away on a cigarette as Motivator, the 7-1 second favourite for the blue riband, stretched his legs over 10 furlongs in company with stablemate Magic Sting, who was partnered by Motivator’s groom Shane Featherstonehaugh.
As they passed the post it was Magic Sting who would have got the verdict in a photo-finish, but Murtagh kept an iron-like grip on his mount’s reins throughout and returned to the weighing room with a smile.
Bell, meanwhile, said he was “very happy”.
“He seemed to handle the bend okay, but obviously they will go round it a bit quicker in the Derby,” he went on.
“The key thing is that Johnny was pleased and although it was just a canter, he looked well in himself, and hopefully it will have put him spot-on for the Dante.
“Hopefully, we will see a horse run there who is in the peak of his condition.”
<-- BACK TO STORY