Almanzor’s son in Derby picture

German-bred Almanzor three-year-old Zuckerhut has earned himself a crack at a top-flight title.

The colt was a comfortable winner of the G2 Union Rennen over 2200 metres at Cologne to book his passage to next month’s G1 Deutsches (German) Derby.

“He had an excellent trip throughout, and 2400 metres will be even better for him. He will have improved again for this race and now the Derby can come,” trainer Peter Schiergen told TDN Europe.

A debut winner over 2100 metres before he ran fourth in the G3 Bavarian Classic at 2200 metres at his previous outing, Zuckerhut lobbed along in sixth spot and lengthened stride effortlessly in the run home to score.

“I have liked him since the very first time I saw him, and his final piece of work was really good,” rider Andrasch Starke.

“I was able to keep him under wraps and that worked out well, especially as there was a good pace.”

Raced by breeder Gestut Hachtsee, Zuckerhut is the first winner for Group 2-winning Samum mare Zamrud, a grand-daughter of G1 Prix du Cadran winner Mercalle.

Zuckerhut is the third Group 2-winning three-year-old in Europe this year for Almanzor following Molveno’s Italian Derby victory and Longchamp Prix Saint-Alary winner Gezora.

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