Tactics evolving for Weld

Racing: Evolving Tactics faces a step up to the highest level for his next race after recording a memorable victory in the Grade Two American Derby at Arlington Park, Chicago, on Sunday.

The Dermot Weld-trained son of Machiavellian was making his American debut in the US $250,000 contest.

Weld had previously took this race with Pine Dance in 2000 and finished second with Jazz Beat last year.

"It was always the race I planned for him and his next race, hopefully, will be the Secretariat. It's a Grade One back there in a month's time," Weld said yesterday.

"He's a progressive colt and he'd be better than the other two. Pine Dance was a good horse but this is a better horse."

When asked if he thought Evolving Tactics could develop into a Breeders' Cup contender the Curragh-based handler said: "Definitely. He's a very progressive colt and he's pretty adaptable."

In Sunday's race Evolving Tactics was settled in second place by Pat Smullen as Gato Gato Gato set the early pace before kicking on and finding a little bit more to deny Californian by a neck with Scottago in third.

"It went perfectly," Smullen told www.thoroughbredtimes.com.

"I delivered my challenge as soon as we straightened up in the stretch, and he went away and won quite well.

"This horse has got a good turn of foot. We used that to our advantage, got away from the second horse and held on to win." Evolving Tactics has taken his race well and Weld added: "He's in good form and he comes back on Tuesday."

Another Weld horse, Refuse To Bend, could be back in action at Deauville next month.

The Sagitta 2,000 Guineas winner will be dropping back to a mile after failing to stay the extra four furlongs in the Vodafone Derby, finishing 13th of 20 behind Kris Kin when sent off the 11 to 4 favourite.

"We'll probably make a decision in the next 10 days," Weld said. "Probably the Jacques Le Marois (at Deauville on August 17th) could possibly be his next run. "He's got over Epsom and he's back to a mile now."

The Breeders' Cup Mile at Santa Anita on October 25th is Refuse To Bend's long-term target.

Impressive Tipperary winner Magritte has earned a 16 to 1 quote from Ladbrokes for the Vodafone Derby following his five-length trouncing of Asanine on Sunday.

Aidan O'Brien's newcomer, a full-brother to this year's Derby second The Great Gatsby, was sent off at 8 to 11 for the seven-furlong maiden and did not let his supporters down as he won easing up in the hands of Michael Kinane.

"This is a very serious racehorse," said Balthazar Fabricius of Ladbrokes.

Rules banning owners, trainers and stable staff from laying their horses to lose on betting exchanges were confirmed by the Jockey Club yesterday.

From September 1st it will be an offence for a trainer to lay any horse under his care to lose a race; the same will apply to stable staff employed by the trainer and to owners.