Both German Classics – the 2000 and 1000 Guineas, respectively – have been won by British raiders so far this season, but it will be a surprise if the sole British runner, Mina Rashid, were to triumph in the 155th running of the G1 Deutsches Derby (2400m) at Hamburg on Sunday (7 July).

Incessant rain has hit the track in the past week with the likely soft ground conditions putting an extra emphasis on stamina; a trait the German thoroughbred is well known for.

A maximum field of 20 is expected to line up on Sunday though only four – Queimados, Mister Gatz, Mina Rashid and Tiamo Hilleshage – have won over the Derby trip while the official handicapper sees a gap of over 40lb across the field. Weltbeste, the sole filly, receives a small weight allowance and attempts to become the first of her sex to win the Deutsches Derby since Borgia in 1997.

Trainer Peter Schiergen, who runs likely favourite Narrativo, is positive about this progressive colt who stylishly won the G2 Union-Rennen (2200m) at Cologne in June.

He said: “He has worked well with the ground not an issue. A lot depends how the race will be run but we have a great chance”.

Narrativo is drawn in box 11 with another major fancy Wintertraum (10) and huge priced outsiders Brady (9) and Tiamo Hilleshage (12) around him.

Waldemar Hickst, who runs Augustus and Wintertraum for Lucky Owner Stables, says: “Both have worked really well and are in great shape. The handicapper thinks Augustus is the better horse, and he will certainly like the ground, whereas theoretically Wintertraum may struggle. Me, I have different views and think that is just theory.”

Stable jockey Michal Abik is riding Augustus, joint top-rated with Narrativo and drawn in box 1.

He said: “The trip will be no problem as he wasn’t stopping last time (when winning a G3 Derby Trial over 2000m at Baden-Baden) and ran all the way to the line. And he will clearly love the ground.”

Trainers Markus Klug (three) and Schiergen (two) have won five of the last ten runnings. Of Klug’s three runners Borna, winner of the G2 Italian Derby (2200m) in May, looks the clear pick only with the ground a slight worry. He will be ridden by 50-year-old German riding legend Andrasch Starke.

No female jockey has won the Deutsches Derby yet but two will try to correct this situation on Sunday. Sybille Vogt, in flying form, will ride Schiergen’s second runner Lahzar Star, of which the Cologne handler noted: “He is very constant in his form and always tries, but this is a big ask.”

Belgian jockey Anna van den Troost rides Geminiano, an outsider who would appear to have very slim chances.