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Quinn team on the hunt for more Derby day glory with Safe Voyage in Listed clash

SAFE VOYAGE Trained by John Quinn for Mr Ross Harmon and ridden by Jason Hart Wins at HAYDOCK PARK 8/6/19Photograph by Grossick Racing Photography 0771 046 1723
Safe Voyage: better than ever last yearCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Investec Surrey Stakes (Listed) | 7f | ITV/RTV

John Quinn does not come to Epsom to admire the scenery. He has travelled down from Malton to win two Diomed Stakes and a Dash at past Derby meetings, and he has another prize in his sights on Saturday.

His patient handling has really paid off with Safe Voyage, who has come back from fracturing his pelvis as a two-year-old and was better than ever last year, winning the John of Gaunt Stakes at Haydock and signing off with third place in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.

And the gelding hinted that he will prove every bit as good at the age of seven in 2020 when failing by just a neck to hold off subsequent Group-race winner Space Blues on his return at Haydock last month.

That narrow defeat means he has no penalty here and Safe Voyage has a clear edge at the weights judged on Racing Post Ratings.

"It was a very good run at Haydock and the winner has franked the form," Quinn said.

"The ground has eased and that is grand – a bit of give is ideal for him – and this race should suit him."

Shine So Bright is also favourably treated off level weights in this Listed event, having won in Group 2 company at York last summer.

Shine So Bright: beating Laurens in the City of York Stakes at York in August
Shine So Bright: beating Laurens in the City of York Stakes at York in AugustCredit: Alan Crowhurst

But he finished last of ten on his reappearance in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot and King Power racing manager Alastair Donald said: "Things didn't really go right at Ascot but the step up to seven furlongs and this track will suit him.

"He had been training well and we're hoping for a good run."

Daarik was beaten favourite for the Buckingham Palace Handicap at Royal Ascot and trainer John Gosden said: "The combination of soft ground and a lot of weight may have been his undoing at Ascot and we think this smaller field and racing off level weights will suit him better."

Richard Hannon had Urban Icon finish a close second last year and runs the twice Diomed Stakes-placed Oh This Is Us as he bids for his first success in a race his father won four times.

The trainer said: "He's been round there twice, he's had a bit of a break and he'd have a good chance."

William Muir is hopeful for Jack's Point and said: "He'll love the track because he likes Goodwood – he likes these types of switchback tracks.

"He's in great shape and I’m really looking forward to running but it is a step up in class so we'll just have to go and see how we compare."


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David CarrReporter

Published on 3 July 2020inDerby festival

Last updated 13:23, 3 July 2020

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