Oaks Trip To Suit Legatissimo

Trainer David Wachman was on hand at Epsom’s Breakfast With The Stars event Tuesday, and he offered an upbeat bulletin on his G1 1000 Guineas scorer and G1 Epsom Oaks favorite Legatissimo (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). 
“She seems very well and we are happy with her as she has done nothing wrong,” the conditioner noted. Wachman said the 1 1/2 mile trip of the Oaks should suit Legatissimo. 

“A mile is as short as she would ever go, as a true-run mile sees her stamina come into it,” he said. “We have always liked her a lot. Last year she was quite big and tall and we hoped she would maybe turn into a nice filly. She has definitely got stronger since her win at Newmarket.” 

Ryan Moore will once again partner Legatissimo at Epsom, meaning second choice Crystal Zvezda (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who won the Listed Fillies’ Trial S. at Newbury May 16 under Moore, will need a new rider. 

“We have always liked her and she is a wonderful specimen,” trainer Sir Michael Stoute said of Crystal Zvezda. “We are now going to work on getting her a rider and hopefully have that organized in the next day or two.” 

John Gosden was pleased with the performances of two of his Oaks contenders, G3 Musidora S. scorer Star of Seville (Ire) (Duke of Marmalade {Ire}) and Listed Pretty Polly S. winner Jazzi Top (GB) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), after they stretched their legs at Epsom Tuesday. 

Of Star of Seville, Gosden said, “Although there is nothing in her pedigree that says she will stay a mile and a half she is a big, strapping filly and we were very happy with her today. She does not have to lead; she can sit second, third or fourth, just as long as there is a good gallop she will be fine–she just doesn’t want it to turn into a sprint.” 

“Jazzi Top is the same on pedigree and that last furlong here they go up hill, but she is a real streetfighter,” Gosden added, “Both fillies looked good together this morning and they are two lovely fillies to bring here.” 

Al Naamah (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), the record-breaking 5 million-guineas purchase by Sheikh Joaan al Thani at Tattersalls October two years ago, also made an appearance at Epsom Tuesday. The Andre Fabre charge, a winner and Group 3-placed and a ‘TDN Rising Star’, has it in her pedigree to win this Classic; she is a full-sister to Was (Ire), who won this in 2012. 

“She is a fantastic-looking filly with a great pedigree and is exactly what we expected her to be,” Fabre said. “She is still big and backwards, but I think she is ready for the Oaks. Bringing the horses over here for this is a great addition to their training as these horses don’t see the bend downhill at home and it also makes a big difference for the jockey as well.”