Haggas prepares Born With Pride for key Oaks trial

William Haggas on Warren Hill at Newmarket

The road to Epsom will begin a few miles away at Kempton on Wednesday when leading Investec Oaks fancy Born With Pride and a number of Derby hopefuls are set to line up in a trial once won by Shergar.

Trainer William Haggas and jockey Tom Marquand combined with spectacular effect in Australia during British racing’s shutdown, capturing two major prizes with Addeybb. They will join forces again when Born With Pride carries the Sea The Stars colours of owner Ling Tsui in the Group 3 Classic Trial, the first Pattern race of the new British season.

Classic Trial the target

Punters have backed the daughter of Born To Sea into between 8-1 and 12-1 for the Oaks, this year due to be staged at Epsom on Saturday, July 4. That is not necessarily a surprising market move given she won a Listed contest on her racecourse debut when ridden by Marquand at Newmarket last November.

Haggas said: “The Classic Trial is where we’re thinking of going at the moment. She’s fine and is doing well but we’re all playing catch-up a bit. It’ll be good to get her going and find out where we are with her.

“The step up in trip will suit her – let’s hope the step up in class will as well.”

Born With Pride a 5/2 favourite

A total of 17 three-year-olds have been entered for the Classic Trial, for which Born With Pride is a best-priced 5-2 favourite in early ante-post betting shows. Among those also engaged is Frankie Dettori’s intended mount Hypothetical, who romped to a five-length victory on his first career start at Newcastle in December. The John Gosden-trained colt is currently a 33-1 shot for the Derby.

Godolphin could also introduce a Chelmsford debut winner in the guise of Bright Melody, while Max Vega, the wide-margin winner of the Group 3 Zetland Stakes on his final start as a two-year-old.

More to read: