The flat season has got under way in Europe and this weekend is the start of the major races.

Bago was set to make his reappearance in the Prix Ganay-now moved to next Thursday following industrial action, the Italian 2000 Guineas is run on Sunday, as is the QE II.
Bago will take on French Derby winner Blue Canari and Voix du Nord, a leading fancy for the Derby prior to being ruled out by injury.

The Kentucky Derby is just two weeks away and the English Guineas meeting one week. The last main trial for the Derby takes place in Keeneland on Saturday when Rockport Harbor tries to overcome all the problems he has had since the beginning of the season. This year the trials have been confusing and at this stage, the horse to beat is the brilliant Bellamy Road. He has won his last two starts by 33 lengths-including the Wood Memorial. He is part of the powerful Nick Zito stable-which also fields Derby fancies Sun King, High Fly and Noble Causeway. Top class two year old Afleet Alex won the Arkansas Derby by eight and Fu Peg's top class son, Bandini, won the Blue Grass by six. One of the best Derby fields in recent times.

The English trials have been confusing as the only favourite to win his trial was Indesatchel, who took out the Greenham, but was not entered in the Guineas. Leading British sire, Pivotal, had a good time of it-with daughter Penkenna Princess winning the Fred Darling and son Johnny Jumpup running second in the Greenham.

The current favourite for the English 2000 Guineas is unbeaten Dubawi, most impressive when winning his trial in Dubai. He won last year's National Stakes easily for Godolphin. Craven Stakes second, Rob Roy, is the second favourite, followed by high class two year olds, Footstepsinthesand, Iceman and Oratorio.

Damson, winner of the Phoenix Stakes last year, is favourite for the 1000 Guineas, followed by Nell Gwynn runner up Cape Columbine and Sir Michael Stoute's high class filly, Shanghai Lily.

The Japanese Guineas have both been run-Rhein Kraft, a daughter of End Sweep, winning the 1000 and the superbly bred Deep Impact winning the 2000. Deep Impact-by Sunday Silence of Oaks runner up Wind In Her Hair led two other Sunday Silence colts home.

Following controversy after her unplaced run in the Santa Anita Derby, champion Sweet Catomine has been retired. She made just seven career starts, her most impressive win coming in last year's Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies. She is being bred to champion sire, A.P. Indy.

Another to retire is leading California based sire, General Meeting. The sire of General Challenge, Excellent Meeting and Magical Allure is suffering from severe neck arthritis.