York handicap winner Collection has emerged as a possible Derby candidate following the conclusion of the Epsom trials.

William Haggas’ Peintre Celebre colt won in eyecatching style on the Knavesmire and as there are still plenty of questions to be answered regarding Epsom, connections are refusing to rule out a possible tilt at the Classic.

“We honestly have not made up our minds. We were delighted with the York result and we have known for some time that he is a pretty exciting horse,” said Harry Herbert, racing manager to the owners, Highclere Thoroughbred Racing.

“We need to see how he has come out of the race and then decide whether we go to Goodwood next week and then on to the Derby, or go straight to the Derby, or whether actually a better route is to go straight to the Royal meeting (Ascot).

“He was quite impressive in winning the other day. He has been working very well at home and we were disappointed with his performance first time out this year.

“There were good reasons for that - the combination of freshness, the ground and William quite rightly leaving a little bit to work on meant that he just blew up at Doncaster.

“He was rated 80 and has won a handicap impressively and you could argue that Sir Michael Stoute’s Dante Stakes winner (Tartan Bearer) has done the same thing, albeit in a trial.

“We need to think further about it. We are excited about him and we will know more at the beginning of next week.”
(Source: Sporting Life)