Cheshire Oaks heroine Minnie Hauk (Frankel) is the likely mount of Ryan Moore in the Betfred Oaks, according to trainer Aidan O'Brien, with the Ballydoyle team also set to call upon the services of Wayne Lordan and Colin Keane on a busy Classic weekend at Epsom.
Speaking on a call hosted by the Jockey Club on Tuesday, O'Brien echoed his recent comments about Delacroix (Dubawi) being the horse most likely to have the benefit of Moore's assistance in Saturday's Betfred Derby, before clarifying the picture somewhat with regards the Oaks, Friday's Classic in which the trainer is also set to saddle Lingfield Oaks Trial scorer Giselle (Frankel) and Musidora Stakes winner Whirl (Wootton Bassett).
Whilst acknowledging that a final decision would likely be left until the very last minute, O'Brien intimated that Moore was leaning towards Minnie Hauk at this stage, with Lordan and Keane set to deputise on whichever fillies are passed over by the stable's number one rider.
“I'd imagine it would probably be Minnie Hauk,” the trainer said of Moore's likely partner. “Obviously, that could change if he changes his mind tomorrow. All three fillies came out of their last races well.
“We liked her [Minnie Hauk] last year. She had the two runs and won the second time. She's a lovely, straightforward filly and we think she's come forward loads from Chester. She was just ready to start there. We had to try and get a run into her somewhere before the Oaks and that suited perfectly. We knew it wouldn't be too demanding of her and she would learn plenty from it.”
O'Brien also revealed that Delacroix will be joined in the Derby by stable-mates The Lion In Winter (Sea The Stars) and Lambourn (Australia), with his Lingfield Derby Trial winner Puppet Master, who remained in contention at Monday's confirmation stage, said to be unlikely to take his chance at Epsom.
Last seen winning the Leopardstown Derby Trial by nearly three lengths, Delacroix is the sponsor's 5/2 favourite to provide O'Brien with a record-extending 11th win in the Derby, while The Lion In Winter is available to back at 6/1 after finishing only sixth on his return to action in the Dante Stakes at York, having headed the market throughout the winter after going unbeaten in two starts as a juvenile. Chester Vase winner Lambourn, who was previously runner-up to Delacroix in March's Ballysax Stakes, is a 14/1 chance.
“I think so,” O'Brien confirmed when asked whether Moore was expected to come down in favour of Delacroix. “Obviously, he doesn't have to make up his mind until 1pm tomorrow [Wednesday]. Ryan will always ride the horse he thinks he has the best chance, that's always been his way, regardless, and that's the way it has to be.
“Ryan rides the horse we think is going to win – sometimes we're right and sometimes we're wrong. He looks at their ability, the suitability of the horse for the race, and tries to get on the one he thinks is going to win. Obviously, no one gets that right all the time, so we'll just have to see how it goes.”
Delacroix has been ridden positively in his recent starts and similar tactics seem likely to be employed at Epsom, whichever jockey partners the son of Dubawi and champion racemare Tepin.
“He's a straightforward horse and uncomplicated, we think,” said O'Brien. “I'd imagine if he [Moore] does ride him, he probably would ride him forward, but he'll decide that himself when the gates open.
“His sister by Galileo [Grateful] got a mile and six [furlongs] well and, as everybody knows, he's by Dubawi. You never know until you do it, but we always thought there was a good chance that he would get the mile and a half.”
Whilst The Lion In Winter appears likely to line up as the Ballydoyle second string, O'Brien believes he will take a big step forward from his Dante performance.
He added, “We think he's made good progress since York. He was only just ready to start that day and you're probably better off in a trial knowing that you're going to come forward and everything goes wrong, rather than running in a trial when you think you're fit and everything goes right.
“He got a little bit of interference in the straight and Ryan looked after him. If he hadn't got that he might have been third and if he hadn't have run a little bit keen early he might have been closer. This is only going to be his second run and you'd imagine whatever he does he's going to come forward again.”
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