Guineas Winner On Oaks Trail

Twenty five fillies remain in the G1 Epsom Oaks scheduled for June 5, the eve of the Epsom Derby. The market is headed by Legatissimo (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) who announced her arrival in the big league when winning the G1 1000 Guineas at Newmarket May 3. While not set in stone, it would appear Legatissimo is on target for the race with her trainer David Wachman commenting, “She seems fine and we’re thinking of going to Epsom. All options are open and we’re not going to tie ourselves down to anything, but that (Oaks) is the most likely target.”

   Of the eleven Irish entries seven hail from Ballydoyle including the impressive Listed Cheshire Oaks winner Diamondsandrubies (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) and G1 Prix Marcel Boussac winner Found (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Jessica Harrington has two entries with her G1 Irish 1000 Guineas hope Bocca Baciata (Ire) (Big Bad Bob {Ire}) in the mix along with stablemate Jack Naylor (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}), last seen finishing third behind Found in Longchamp last October. Newmarket trainer Ed Dunlop has entered Arethusa (GB) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) and this filly gets the chance to book her Oaks ticket on Thursday when tackling the Listed Height Of Fashion S. at Goodwood, a race won en route to Oaks glory by another Dunlop trained filly Snow Fairy (Ire) (Intikhab). “We are in the position with Arethusa at the moment where we don’t quite know where we are with her so that is why we have decided to go down this route,” said Dunlop, before adding, “We have chosen to go back to Goodwood as she won there last year. Let’s keep our fingers crossed and see how she gets on. The Goodwood race looks pretty competitive unfortunately! I am happy with the way she has progressed but we just need to know where we stand with her.”