Owen hoping he has Derby ace with Wimbledon Hawkeye
James Owen is dreaming of Betfred Derby glory after Wimbledon Hawkeye's commendable fifth-placed effort in the 2000 Guineas.
Owen said prior to the son of Kameko's Newmarket run that a top-five finish would be the perfect preparation for a tilt at the Epsom Classic and he is now relishing the thought of stepping the colt up in trip.
'He's come out of the Guineas well and we think he will improve for a step up in trip and that's what he showed at Newmarket really, he settled nicely and stayed on well, I thought,' said Owen.
'We'll keep an eye on the Dante but the Derby is the big aim with him. We've got a nice lead-up time to Epsom and he's had his first two runs for the season and it's exciting to go to Epsom with him.
'He deserves his place in the Derby and I thought he ran a great trial. I think he came on from his Craven run and improved a little bit and he's also a horse who improved with every start last year, but most importantly I think he is crying out for a step up in trip.'
Wimbledon Hawkeye is as short as 25-1 in places for the Derby and split the market leaders for the premier classic, Aidan O'Brien's The Lion In Winter (first) and Charlie Appleby's 2000 Guineas hero Ruling Court (third), when they all clashed in the Acomb Stakes at York last summer.
The Gredley Family-owned colt went on to scoop Group Two honours in the Royal Lodge as a two-year-old and will now attempt to go one better than the owners' Ambiente Friendly, who was second to City Of Troy at Epsom 12 months ago.
'It's unbelievable to have such a horse and it was great to have a Guineas runner and he ran with huge credit – and it will be fantastic to have a Derby runner,' continued Owen, who will saddle his first runner in the Derby in just his second season training on the Flat.
'He's a well-balanced colt, who should enjoy the track and get the trip and I'm looking forward to it.'
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