The English page: Warring States new Derby favourite

As expected, the long May Day weekend provided several clues to the upcoming German classics, and the most significant event was undoubtedly the Bavarian Classic over ten furlongs at Munich, a race which has often proved to be a good guide to the Deutsches Derby; Darius Racing`s Isfahan (Lord of England) won both races last year. He was trained by Andreas Wöhler and the Gütersloh trainer took the race again this time with the Qatar Racing-owned and Japanese-bred Warring States (Victoire Pisa). He was bred by Shirai Stud Farm and is a half-brother to two smart performers in his native Japan. Warring States has now been promoted to clear favouritism for the German Derby, to be run at Hamburg on July 2^nd, at odds varying from 5-1 to 7-1.

However it was a very close run affair, and Warring States only scored by a nose from the Ittlingen homebred Enjoy Vijay (Nathaniel). Another son of Nathaniel, Kastano, part-owned by Newsells Park, finished third, two and a half lengths further back. Kastano ran very free in the early stages and could be a better proposition in the Derby, where there is almost always a very strong early pace. These three can all be regarded as genuine Derby contenders, but Warring States looks the most likely to show further improvement. Both Wöhler and Harry Bentley, who rode him, said that he is still a big baby and will come on a lot for this race. He is actually also entered in the Derby at Epsom, but Wöhler has stated that the German version is the main target and that he will probably run once more before then, most likely in the Union-Rennen.

Wöhler has of course more than one Derby candidate, and the next start of Langtang (Campanologist) will be awaited with keen interest, following his promising second place in the Dr. Busch-Memorial twelve days ago. He seems to be more stoutly-bred than Warring States, and will probably run next in the Derby Trial at the Baden-Baden May meeting. That race could also be the target for Enjoy Vijay, who now looks the main Derby hope for trainer Peter Schiergen, while Markus Klug is also planning to run some of his top three-year-olds there.

Klug also has a strong hand in the three-year-old fillies department, and Röttgen´s homebred Attica (Tai Chi) now challenges Wöhler´s Delectation (Delegator) for favouritism in the German 1,000 Guineas at Düsseldorf on June 18^th, after her very easy win over that course and distance last Sunday. She is easily the best runner so far by Tai Chi, a very promising three-year-old back in 2012, but had to be retired after pulling up sore after running unplaced on very fast going in the German 2,000 Guineas; at two he had won the Preis des Winterfavoriten and was also placed third in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud. He now stands for a fee of 3,000 euros at Gestüt Ohlerweiherhof alongside Isfahan. Delectation, who won the Schwarzgold-Rennen in such good style at Easter, is by no means certain to run at Düsseldorf. Wöhler plans to run here in the Poule d´Essai des Pouliches at the end of next week, and if she goes well there, then in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Older horses move back into the spotlight this weekend, where the main event is the Group Two Gerling-Preis at Cologne, the first leg of the German Racing Champions League. This features a rematch between Stall Ullmann´s homebred Savoir Vivre (Adlerflug) and Horst Pudwill´s Dschingis Secret (Soldier Hollow), only separated by a neck when second and third in the controversial finish to last year´s German Derby. Afterwards Savoir Vivre ran an excellent eighth in the Prix de l´Arc de Triomphe, where he finished as best three-year-old, while Dschinghis Secret won the Italian St. Leger. Savoir Vivre, whose trainer Jean-Pierre Carvalho has won the last three editions of the Gerling-Preis, appeals as a type who could show considerable improvement from three to four; he has to concede weight all round, but is still likely to start favourite.

It is however by no means a two horse race. Both Savoir Vivre and Dschingis Secret are making their seasonal debut, while Sirius (Dashing Blade) has already won this year for in-form trainer Andreas Suborics, and is also well suited by the track. Kashmar (Samum), who showed tremendous improvement to win a listed race last time, has been supplemented, while Nepal (Kallisto) won last year´s Italian Oaks. Brisanto (Dansili) is an interesting outsider, but with all due respect Freddy Head´s Tres Rock Glory (Fastnet Rock), the only foreign runner, looks up against it here.

Main supporting feature is a listed race over a mile, in which several of Germany´s top milers will be having their prep race for the Group Two Badener Meile in three weeks´ time. Wonnemond (Areion) is the most improved horse in Germany, having won all five starts since being gelded last summer. Degas (Exceed and Excel), on the other hand, has only ever won once but has been placed in six group races and certainly deserves another chance. Wild Chief (Doyen) is a noted spring performer and can never be left out of calculations at this time of year, while Millowitsch (Sehrezad) is another local specialist. Wöhler runs the extremely well-bred De Treville (Oasis Dream), who has a colourful international career, and if he is anywhere near his best, he could win this.

David Conolly-Smith