Wonderful Moon heads Grewe's fantastic four in Deutsches Derby

151st IDEE Deutsches Derby (Group 1)| 3yo colts & fillies | 1m4f

Vincent O'Brien is often cited as the first to coin the epithet that if you think you have four Derby horses then you probably have none.

For Henk Grewe there has always been Wonderful Moon, a hugely talented son of 2014 Deutsches Derby hero Sea The Moon, though in recent weeks three more colts with Classic pretensions have emerged from his Cologne base.

But there is no doubt that Wonderful Moon – who posted a 12-length success on his final start at two and has had this race as his target ever since – is the horse who could excite interest beyond the Hamburg Horn track should he live up to his exulted billing.

Wonderful Moon (noseband) and Andrasch Starke warm up for the Deutsches Derby with success in the Group 2 Union-Rennen at CologneCredit: Marc Ruehl (marcruehl.com)

"For his first run this year we pushed him a bit harder to get him fit but after that we left him quiet and I think he won the Union Rennen when only 80 per cent fit," said Grewe. "He didn’t have the best trip, he was always three wide on the track. I hope we will see a different horse in the Deutsches Derby."

The hugely-experienced Andrasch Starke takes the ride aboard Wonderful Moon, who could provide the rider with an eighth Derby win.

"Our stable is in phenomenal form and, while we need to maintain that for the Derby, I have been very pleased with his track work in the mornings," said Starke, who partnered Danedream to Arc glory in 2011.

"Wonderful Moon showed a lot of talent at two and now we have others in the stable that were slower maturing but have developed this year."

Grewe said of his other challengers: "Dicaprio would have a very good chance if we get really soft ground, he loves heavy conditions. Only The Brave has never disappointed on the track but is a bit hard for me to gauge because in the mornings he shows nothing. He could surprise people."

International opposition comes in the shape of In Swoop, who was trained in Germany at two and was third to Gold Trip in the Prix Greffulhe for Francis Graffard last month, as well as Frohsim for Christophe Ferland.

Dettori tries for third Italian Derby

Frankie Dettori bids for a first success since 2009 in the Derby Italiano (7.00) at Capannelle on Sunday, when teaming up with the Mark Johnston-trained King's Caper.

Dettori got a feel for the son of New Approach when finishing down the field in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot and will be joined in the 13-strong line-up by Papa Power for Andrew Balding and Fabio Branca.

French-based Cristian Demuro has won four of the last five editions of the race and rides Clarenzio Fan for Alduino Botti.

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