RACING/Dante Stakes report: Moon ballad remains down Godolphin's pecking order for the Vodafone Derby - despite winning one of its most important trials, the Convergent Dante Stakes, at York yesterday.
Jamie Spencer made every yard aboard the 13 to 2 chance in the Group Two contest and, despite Bollin Eric and Balakheri doing their best to close on the leader, Moon Ballad still had a 1¼ lengths in hand at the post.
And, although from a speedy family (his dam Velvet Moon won the Lowther Stakes), Moon Ballad was not stopping at the end of this 10-furlong test.
But his success was not enough to shake up the ante-post betting market for the Derby, most firms going 16 to 1 or 20 to 1 but Ladbrokes writing him off as a 33 to 1 chance.
It was a pleasing performance but, according to racing manager Simon Crisford, another colt remains Godolphin's "number one" contender for Classic honours. "Moon Ballad has speed as you saw there and, although there is a question, I think he should stay a mile and a half. But at the moment Naheef would be our leading hope for Epsom," he said. "He has done very well since the Guineas and is working well.
"That wasn't him at Newmarket and he probably wasn't that focused in the race - he clearly didn't have a very hard race anyway.
"Al Moulatham definitely stays a mile and a half and he could go to Epsom as well. Dubai Destination shouldn't be written off yet but we need to get a run into him.
"He is fit enough to run but we would need to see him working better this weekend.
"He could run in the Predominate Stakes at Goodwood or even the Irish 2,000 Guineas."
Tim Easterby was delighted with Bollin Eric's performance in finishing second, although jockey Robert Winston was on the receiving end of a four-day suspension for using his whip with excessive frequency. "He'll go for the French Derby provided the owner agrees," Easterby said.
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