Andrew Balding says the Derby should be run at Epsom “if possible”, with talk of both the Derby and Oaks taking place on the same day.
There is still no set date for the return to horse racing action in the UK, although on Friday the BHA confirmed all races had been cancelled up to May 7 – when a further update is expected from the government.
During the week, when Epsom should have been hosting its first fixture of the year, their clerk of the course Andrew Cooper tweeted that the course is in “good shape” and will be “ready to go when required”.
Trainer Balding is hoping that the regular venue can play host to Britain's richest race, as he prepares Kameko to run in the Classic – which was supposed to take place on June 6 but has now been pushed back to a later date.
The 48-year-old said: “If it's at all possible to run the Derby at Epsom then that's got to be where the race is run, although as I've said before the priority ultimately is to make sure the race is run wherever it is.
“It's tremendous if that is the aim to have the races take place there and I think racing is making good moves for returning when it is able to do so. From what I've read, seen and heard the plans seem very well thought out and racing should be in a good position when government gives approval for it to go ahead.”
