DERBY IS LOCO MOTIVE

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Jan 4, 2009 | by BILL MILLS

PREMIO LOCO's all-weather campaign could lead to a crack at the Winter Derby after he outclassed his rivals at Lingfield yesterday.

The Chris Wall-trained gelding, confidently ridden by George Baker, showed good pace to hold Red Somerset by half a length.

The pair engaged in a brief tussle in the home straight, but Premio Loco soon asserted and looked good value for his margin of victory.

Wall said: "He'd been off the track for a while and this looked a good opportunity to get him back.

"We'll now go for a Listed race at Kempton in between three and four weeks.

"The time was a second slower than when he won his maiden, so we know he can go faster.

It seem to get nine furlongs in the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket, but he tore off a shoe which might have happened when he pecked three or four strides after the start.

"I can't say he'll stay a mile and a quarter, as he's so comfortable at a mile.

"But if things go to plan the Winter Derby could be in the pipeline. It's very much a bridge to cross when we get there."

Evident Pride passed five rivals in the final furlong and a half of the William Hill January Sale Handicap to score at 16-1 under Ian Mongan.