Arc winner’s son Centennial lifts Gr 3 Classic Trial. Centennial confirmed himself as a live contender for the Epsom Derby with his front-running victory in Saturday’s Classic Trial at Sandown. The dark grey colt held on by a neck from the fast-finishing Whistledownwind to score in the nine-runner contest. He was making a successful seasonal debut after a progressive juvenile campaign which saw him win his Maiden and a Conditions Stakes before a second place to another Classic hope in Thewayyouare in the Gr 3 Prix Thomas Bryon.

John Gosden has already used the Sandown Classic Trial as a stepping-stone to glory in the most prestigious British Classic, as Benny The Dip finished second before going on to take the Epsom Blue Riband in 1997. Like Benny The Dip, Centennial was not at 100% fitness for the ten furlong event, after which a satisfied Gosden commented, “He will come on bundles for the race and Jimmy (Fortune) said he will get better with age, so we also have a four-year-old to look forward to!”

Prior to his rendez-vous at Epsom on 7th June, Centennial’s next public appearance is likely to be in the Gr 2 Dante Stakes at York on 15th May or alternatively in the Gr 3 Lingfield Derby Trial on 10th May.

Dalakhani, whose Classic career included victories in the Prix du Jockey-Club and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, also counts Oaks fancy Chinese White among his first crop. A six-length winner on her only start to date, Chinese White could book her place in the Epsom Classic on her reappearance in the Gr 3 Blue Wind Stakes at Naas on 14th May.

Updated on 02/05/2008