Effevi Four-Peat On the Line

Italian champion owner Scuderia Effevi could hit a grand slam today at San Siro in the G2 Italian Oaks. The last owner to win all four Italian Classics was Razza Del Soldo in 1936 with the filly Archidamia (Ity), and four years earlier Federico Tesio snatched the four races with another super filly, Jacopa Del Sellaio (Ity). 

This season, the gold and blue silks of Scuderia Effevi collected the G3 Premio Parioli with Hero Look (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}); the G3 Premio Regina Elena with Sound Of Freedom (Ire) (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}); and the G2 Italian Derby with Goldstream (Ity) (Martino Alonso {Ire}). Sunday, Effevi will be represented by the unbeaten Wordless (GB) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) and Reset In Blue (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}). Retained jockey Fabio Branca decided to stay loyal with Reset In Blue, the filly he rode in the Regina Elena, leaving the winner, Sound Of Freedom, to Cristian Demuro. Reset In Blue, who won her first three races–including the Premio Cesare Degli Occhi, a well reputed trial–ran flat to finish fourth and was reported to be in season. 

Wordless could put her dam, Holy Moon (Ire) (Hernando {Fr}), in the record books as the only broodmare to foal four consecutive Classic winners. Wordless’s half-sisters Cherry Collect (Ire) (Oratorio {Ire}), Charity Line (Ire) (Manduro {Ger}) and Final Score (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) have won each Oaks since 2012 and have all since moved to Japan following the purchase by Katsumi and Teruya Yoshida. Wordless snatched her third win in the Premio Zanoletti Apr. 25 at San Siro. 

The Effevi pair will face a very talented filly in Joyful Hope (GB) (Shamardal), the full-sister to the Italian Derby winner Crackerjack King (Ire). Joyful Hope, an easy winner in her juvenile debut, was very impressive when doubling up in the Listed Premio Mario Incisa over 2000 meters May 10 at San Siro. 

German fillies have won the Oaks seven times since 1999. This year, three fillies will challenge the home team including Lovelyn (Ger) (Tiger Hill {Ire}), who scored gamely in a maiden at Koln Apr. 19, defeating the subsequent Group 2-placed Amona (Ire) (Aussie Rules).