Why the pedigree of Epsom Blue Riband Trial winner Wirko can fuel Derby dreams

Charlie Appleby's red-hot start to the Flat season was further bolstered by another Classic contender in Wirko, who stayed on grittily to win Epsom's Listed Blue Riband Trial.

Won by the likes of Cracksman and So Mi Dar in the past, the mile and a quarter contest has often been used as a trial for the Cazoo Derby and the son of Kingman has a pedigree to suggest the step up to a mile and a half should suit.

A €700,000 purchase from the BBAG September Yearling Sale in 2019, Wirko is the first foal out of Weltmacht - a multiple Listed-winning daughter of Mount Nelson and German Group 2 winner Wild Side - and was bred by Gestut Rottgen.

While Kingman is traditionally a source of speedier types - think Coventry Stakes scorer Calyx and Group 1-winning miler Palace Pier - Wirko's dam won over a mile and six furlongs, while Wild Side won a German Group 2 over a mile and a half.

It is also worth noting that Weltmacht's Shirocco and Dalakhani half-sisters were stakes winners or performers over a mile and six furlongs.

Further back in the family, Wild Side's Platini half-sister, White Rose, was second in the Buchmacher Springer-Preis der Diana over a mile and three furlongs on soft ground, and her Surumu sibling, Win For Us, struck in the German St Leger.

Wirko and Technique head towards the line in the Blue Riband Trial at EpsomCredit: Edward Whitaker

Assistant trainer Alex Merriam said: "He's a horse that is still learning as that is only his third start. You could see there he was raw and William [Buick] said he was learning on the job and he needs racing to keep improving. The more he races the better he will be.

“As it was only his third run he was entitled to be green wherever he went, but he handled the track well enough for his first time on it. Charlie mentioned possibly the Lingfield Derby Trial for this fellow next.

“I don’t think that [an extra two furlongs] will do him any harm as he saw the race out well enough. He's a horse who needs more racing to gain more experience."

The runner-up - the once-raced Mastercraftsman filly Technique - also put forward her Cazoo Oaks claims with a brave effort a head behind at the line.

Bred by the Pocock family and a 40,000gns purchase from Stringston Farm to Dermot Farrington at Tattersalls Book 2, the Mantonbury Stud-owned filly is out of the winning Sea The Stars mare Lifting Me Higher, who is herself out of a sister to the top-class juvenile and sire Holy Roman Emperor.

The Martyn Meade-trained filly, a winner at Wolverhampton in January - Wirko also started his career at Wolverhampton - was shortened in the market for the Oaks, with her dam's side giving confidence of her staying further.

Lifting Me Home won over a mile and a half and was also placed over a mile and six furlongs, while her Born To Sea sibling Perfect To Play was a close second in the Group 3 Gallinule Stakes over a mile and a quarter.

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