Races
THE OAKS | The British-trained contenders to watch out for
The British Fillies attempt to dethrone the Irish in the Oaks on the famous Epsom Downs
After the Irish claimed victory in both the 2000 and 1000 Guineas, the British aim to reclaim Classic success on the Epsom Downs with the fillies lining up in the Oaks in four weeks’ time.
The home side possesses several promising talents for the contest, hailing from several top yards.
Teona showed her potential as a two-year-old, garnering plaudits for her nine-length success over 1m2f at Newmarket in November.
Trainer Roger Varian believes the daughter of Sea The Stars ‘could be quite special’ and is aiming to run the three-year-old in one of the Oaks trials this month.
The Newmarket trainer holds two more entries, with the unbeaten Zeyaadah and the progressing Save A Forest representing the Varian Stables.
Noon Star announced her claims for the Oaks last month after a promising performance in a fillies’ novice stakes at Wetherby.
The daughter of Galileo justified market support on her last outing, keeping on well in the final furlong to beat the chasing Loving Dream by two-and-a-half lengths.
Sir Michael Stoute’s filly has been bred purely for the Epsom Classic, with her dam (Midday) going down by a neck in the 2009 edition while her brother (Midterm) won the Group 3 Classic Trial.
John and Thady Gosden hold six entries in the fourth Classic of the season, with two fillies spearheading their chances.
Indigo Girl showed rapid progress as a two-year-old last season, winning the Group 2 May Hill Stakes in September before finishing a length behind Pretty Gorgeous in the Fillies’ Mile a month later.
Gosden Sr cast doubt over the three-year-old heading to the contest, however, stating “I see her as a mile to a mile-and-a-quarter filly. I don’t see her like her sister (Journey) over a mile and a half.”
Darlectable You possesses an eye-catching pedigree, but has failed to fire on her two starts so far for the father and son duo.
Sired by Dubawi, the filly is a sister to triple Group 1 winner Too Darn Hot, 2016 Musidora Stakes victor So Mi Dar and Middleton Fillies’ Stakes winner Lah Ti Dar.
If she can show progress on her next start, the three-year-old could be an intriguing contender for the Epsom Classic.
Richard Hannon’s Snow Lantern saw her price plummet for the Oaks a few weeks back, after getting the better of a Derby prospect in a maiden stakes at Newbury.
The three-year-old took care of Derab with significant ease, showing enthusiasm to get in front and fend off the challenges of the colt to win by a length and three-quarters.
Sea Empress made a seriously promising debut on Newcastle in October for William Haggas, while Saffron Beach could be stepped up in distance here after finishing second in the 1000 Guineas.
A top-level contingent of British fillies will descend on the Downs this season, all with a strong chance of claiming success in the Oaks.
Selections
– Teona E/W @ 10/1
– Sea Empress E/W @ 25/1
