Herbert favouring Derby trial for Centigrade

Centigrade looks set to be aimed towards a Derby trial rather than the 2000 Guineas, according to Highclere Thoroughbred Racing’s Harry Herbert.

The Too Darn Hot colt, who is trained by Ralph Beckett, has a number of high-profile entries for his three-year-old campaign, including the one-mile Classic at Newmarket, the 10-furlong Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly and the blue riband over a mile and a half at Epsom.

Despite easing to victory by five and a half lengths at Newbury on his final juvenile start, the longer distance could be better suited for Centigrade, who described as a “really exciting prospect” by Highclere’s chairman and managing director Herbert.

“He’s very much a horse we have high hopes for. He’s not started into fast work yet, but we are talking Derby trials for him, all being well,” he said.

“We are very excited by him, he’s a serious talent, wintered very well and is a really exciting prospect.

“He was given that entry (2000 Guineas), but I would say much more likely to be a Derby trial personally.

“He’s a scopey horse – a beautifully-made horse – and he’s not short of speed. He’s got speed in his pedigree – his dam is a half-sister to Sergei Prokofiev – so he’s got a lot going for him this horse.

“He’s a very exciting prospect for the season ahead.”