Epsom Oaks Preview: Crystal can take Oaks with valuable turn of foot please log in to view this image By Ben Fearnley -- published 26th May 2015 Ben Fearnley takes an American approach to the Epsom Oaks and uncovers an embryonic British Triple Crown bid, as well as a couple of recommended bets. In American racing nothing matters more than the illusive three-year-old Triple Crown, which has escaped all challengers since 1978. This could all change this year, however, as American Pharoah bids to add the final leg, the Belmont Stakes, to the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes titles he has already won. The Triple Crown in Britain is less discussed, maybe due to the fact that the disparity in distances between the three British classics is much greater than the American equivalents, making a challenger an even rarer beast. Coolmore went close in 2012 with Camelot, who won the first two legs only to be denied in the St. Leger, but little has been said about their 1000 Guineas winner Legatissimo potentially bidding for the fillies’ Triple Crown, last completed by Oh So Sharp in 1985. Legatissimo had an unorthodox preparation for the 1000 Guineas, winning a listed contest at Gowran Park over nine and a half furlongs just a week before the Newmarket classic. She then ran out an impressive winner of the Guineas, a strongly-run affair bringing her abundant stamina into play, and the fact she was never stronger than at the finish bodes very well for her Epsom claims. Hailing from the family of Ascot Gold Cup winner Fame And Glory, it’s not inconceivable that Legatissimo would stay the extended 14-furlong trip of the St. Leger, and the question will no doubt be posed should she win the Oaks. please log in to view this image As the market would suggest, the Oaks this year is a wide-open affair and there are a number of horses capable of stopping Legatissimo completing the first Guineas/Oaks double since Kazzia won both in 2002. Legatissimo currently heads the Timeform weight-adjusted ratings for the Oaks on 134, and although she should improve for the step up in trip her market rival Crystal Zvezda (125P) is arguably open to significantly more improvement on the back of her most impressive reappearance at Newbury on Lockinge Day, where she swept round a field of unexposed fillies and quickened clear in great style. A half-sister to the very smart Hillstar who stays 12 furlongs, there is every chance Crystal Zvezda will get the trip in the Oaks, and, possessing a potent turn of foot, she is certainly an exciting prospect and well worth her position towards the head of the market. Aside from the favourite Legatissimo, Coolmore also have Found entered in the Oaks where she would hold an excellent chance if taking up her entry. The doubt from an ante-post perspective with Found is that connections are reportedly likely to supplement her for the Derby, seemingly lacking in adequate colts for the race at this stage. Jack Naylor wasn’t far behind Found in the Irish 1000 Guineas at the weekend and she very much caught the eye in the process, having to come from further back in the field than the other principals and getting a bump on the way through. Based on running style and pedigree, Jack Naylor is likely to improve for the step up in trip in the Oaks, and has to enter the reckoning. Pamona could finish only third behind Crystal Zvezda on her return at Newbury, beaten four lengths having been sent off as favourite, but she shaped better than the distance beaten suggests, not getting a clear passage and finishing with running left. Pamona shaped as if she will be suited by the extra two furlongs at Epsom and she is worth a small each-way bet at current prices. A win for Legatissimo would once again raise the tantalising prospect of a horse completing the Triple Crown, but she’s up against a seriously exciting filly in Crystal Zvezda, and it is Sir Michael Stoute’s charge who gets the nod, with Pamona put up as a value each-way alternative. Recommendations: Back Crystal Zvezda at 9/2 1pt win Back Pamona at 20/1 0.5pts each-way
JACK NAYLOR (awful name for a filly) really took the eye at the weekend as a filly that will surely go very close at the trip!
Just been announced that Pamona will bypass the Oaks. Heads instead to the Ribblesdale at the Royal meeting.
At the five day declaration stage for the Epsom Oaks, the following fourteen fillies remain available to take part on Friday: (prices from Oddschecker) Al Naamah – Andre Fabre (20/1) Bellajeu – Ralph Beckett (50/1) Crystal Zvezda – Sir Michael Stoute (4/1) Diamondsandrubies – Aidan O’Brien (8/1) Found – Adian O’Brien (7/1) Jack Naylor – Mrs John Harrington (9/1) Jazzi Top – John Gosden (16/1) Lady Of Dubai – Luca Cumani (14/1) Legatissimo – David Wachman (7/2) Local Time – Saeed bin Suroor (50/1) Qualify – Aidan O’Brien (100/1) Star Of Seville – John Gosden (11/1) Together Forever – Aidan O’Brien (10/1) Wedding Vow – Aidan O’Brien (66/1)
Hard to look past Legatissimo in this. She won the Guineas like a horse that would improve for the trip, so I don't see any logic in opposing her at 7/2. She has the best form, and she looks like further will suit, so what's not to like?
I'd have to agree Shergar, as soon as she crossed the line in the Guineas she looked like an Oaks winner
Do you know what, team?!? If I’d have been born 300 years ago, or thereabouts, and it was me that instigated a ‘Classic’ race for fillies at Epsom then ‘The Oaks’ would be called the ‘Chuckle Towers’. Makes you think, doesn’t it?!? Well it makes me think anyway. Anyway, I find the fact that Richard ‘Hughesie’ Hughes is set to ride Crystal Zvezda, in the heat, in the words of Alanis Morissette, somewhat ‘ironic’ given the fact that few years back Sir Mick didn’t want him anywhere near his horses! In his autobiography Richard ‘Hughesie’ Hughes is somewhat scathing of Sir Mick and accuses him of being very easily led by those around him at any particular time. Relates how he was jocked off all his rides at the stable (when retained by old boy Khalid) because of people pressuring Stoute but as soon as Ryan Moore got the job at the barn, a chap Richard ‘Hughesie’ Hughes has known since the other was in his mid teens and is one of his best mates, he was suddenly back in favour because Ryan Moore was giving very positive feedback to the old boy re Richard ‘Hughesie’ Hughes.
The Just The Bare Form And The Ratings Guide Al Naamah (Andre Fabre) Won a six furlong maiden at Chantilly on debut but was long odds on failure in seven furlong Group 3 at same course subsequently. Touched off in the ten furlong Prix Cleopatre at Saint-Cloud when favourite on three-year-old bow. Bellajeu (Ralph Beckett) Remained maiden after three attempts in maiden races as juvenile. Runner-up in the Lingfield Oaks Trial on three-year-old debut, having every chance until last half furlong. Crystal Zvezda (Sir Michael Stoute) Third in conditions race on two-year-old debut then won Lingfield polytrack maiden race when long odds on. Won a ten furlong Newbury Listed race on three-year-old bow, keeping on strongly at the finish. Diamondsandrubies (Aidan O’Brien) As a juvenile, won a nine furlong Tipperary maiden race on soft ground after being soundly beaten on fast ground at Leopardstown. Third to Bocca Baciata in the Salsabil Stakes on three-year-old debut followed by easy victory in the Cheshire Oaks. Found (Aidan O’Brien) Missed the 1000 Guineas but was beaten the following day in Group 3 at The Curragh on heavy ground. Hampered but beaten fair and square in Irish 1000 Guineas when favourite. Has been declared a non-runner, so those of us with ante post tickets from last year’s Prix Marcel Boussac have done our money. Jack Naylor (Mrs John Harrington) Busy as a juvenile, winning maiden at third attempt followed by Group 3 at Leopardstown and Listed race at The Curragh then third to Found in Prix Marcel Boussac. Three-year-old debut was staying on fourth in Irish 1000 Guineas. Jazzi Top (John Gosden) Ran third in two maiden races as a juvenile. On three-year-old reappearance won a mile maiden at Kempton followed by the ten furlong Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket, as per last year’s Oaks winner from the same yard. Lady Of Dubai (Luca Cumani) As a juvenile, won a maiden race at the third attempt followed by second in a mile Newmarket Listed race. On three-year-old bow comfortably collected the Height Of Fashion Stakes at Goodwood. Legatissimo (David Wachman) Won maiden race at second attempt as juvenile followed by second to Jack Naylor in Listed race at The Curragh. Well beaten on soft ground in Leopardstown 1000 Guineas Trial on reappearance but subsequently won Gowran Park Listed race and Newmarket 1000 Guineas on quicker ground. Local Time (Saeed bin Suroor) Won two minor races at Kempton before winning Oh So Sharp Stakes at Newmarket as a juvenile. As a three-year-old has won the UAE 1000 Guineas and the UAE Oaks at Meydan but was well beaten behind Legatissimo in Newmarket 1000 Guineas. Qualify (Aidan O’Brien) Won Dundalk maiden on third juvenile start and subsequently won Weld Park Stakes at The Curragh on third Group race start; well beaten in Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. Two three-year-old starts have resulted in last place finish in Newmarket 1000 Guineas and being well beaten in Irish 1000 Guineas. Star Of Seville (John Gosden) Won a mile maiden race on second juvenile start. On three-year-old debut, collected ten furlong Newbury conditions race and followed up with victory in the Musidora Stakes at York. Together Forever (Aidan O’Brien) Busy as juvenile, winning Gowran Park maiden race at fourth attempt. Subsequently won a mile Listed race at The Curragh and the Group 1 Fillies Mile at Newmarket. On three-year-old debut just failed to catch Star Of Seville in Musidora Stakes. Wedding Vow (Aidan O’Brien) Maiden after four career starts. Ran second to Legatissimo in Gowran Park Listed race on seasonal bow followed by third in the Lingfield Oaks Trial when odds on favourite (behind Bellajeu). Conclusions It is impossible to assess Andre Fabre’s Al Naamah on just her three career starts but he does not send them here just for the day out! An obvious case can be made for top-rated Newmarket 1000 Guineas winner Legatissimo, provided that the ground is not too slow and her tactic of being held up in the rear and delivered late is not a handicap at this track in a race where most of the opposition seem to race handily. Of the Aidan O’Brien runners, Together Forever is clearly the one to be on as Star Of Seville had race fitness at York and the extra two furlongs may help her reverse the placings. Diamondsandrubies probably does not want it too quick but should go well. Crystal Zvezda comes here lightly raced and on the back of an eye-catching performance at Newbury and has to enter calculations, as does Goodwood winner Lady Of Dubai, who may not want the ground too quick. It might be folly to ignore Jack Naylor although she has plenty of miles on the clock (and a stupid name for a filly!). I would love to see lightly raced Jazzi Top win but she still has quite a bit to find based on the pure form of her easy Newmarket win.
Great write up QM!! I do like Diamondsnrubies but only if the ground comes up on the softer side of good! Have had a small wager as if the ground does come up soft that price will go but also have had the fav as she could bevery well backed come the day too
I deliberately avoided going into pedigrees etc when writing up the notes (partly for brevity) but I would caution against Diamondsandrubies because the dam has not produced any top class offspring although she was fairly decent herself. She will probably hose up now that I have mentioned that... I am leaving it until Friday so I know the actual going but I may end up going with Together Forever as no filly has done the Guineas/Oaks double since Kazzia in 2002 (where Quarter Moon was second), which tempers enthusiasm for the favourite.
In fact, Jack Naylor isn't such an inept name for this particular filly; it's just that she's been spelt wrongly - or, at least, unhelpfully. As Stick would know if he took any interest in the higher forms of culture, Jac Naylor (so spelt) is a female character in Holby City. She's a registrar (I think) although she does seem to do a lot more bonking than registrar-ing. The joke - or certainly the link - here is that Jac's highest-echelon bonking involved Lord Byrne, one of those pussy-driven aristocrats so much admired by Barney. And the filly's owner's surname is Byrne. So there you have it. This forum, so long celebrated as a treasure-house of useless knowledge and double-entendre, has come up trumps again.
I never like Guineas winners in the Oaks or Derby as I tend to think a horse has to be exceptional to win classics at such a contrasting distances, or find itself in a weak contest (see Camalot), you are asking for a horse to still possess a finishing racing speed necessary to beat the opposition after an extra half a mile of travelling and that really does take some doing. Aside from the classics you will hardly ever see a trainer run his horse over such contrasting distances, which is why it takes an exceptional horse to pull it off. The 1000 Guineas is also a poor trial as only one horse Khazzia (2002) has done the double in the last 25 years. In light of this I feel that Star of Seville will be the likely winner. I have a small ew at 40-1 on Lady of Dubai but feel a place is the best I will get.
Sorry to be a pedant but 25 years ago Salsabil did the Guineas/Oaks double in 1990 – it’ll be 26 years ago by Friday night! I backed her ante post for the Guineas at 10/1 but did not fancy her for the Oaks so left the 40/1 for the double alone. Then on the day I backed the second-favourite, David Elsworth’s In The Groove, who had won the Musidora and the Irish 1000 Guineas. Star Of Seville was the one that all the noises were coming out of Newmarket about before the Musidora and she duly won; however, the runner-up Together Forever had a four pound penalty and only went down by a head to an opponent who was race fit. The bad news for those of us that fancy the O’Brien first string is that his son is on her as Ryan Moore has not surprisingly decided to stick with Legatissimo. At the final declaration stage, there are eleven set to face the starter: Al Naamah – Andre Fabre (Gregory Benoist) Bellajeu – Ralph Beckett (Andrea Atzeni) Crystal Zvezda – Sir Michael Stoute (Richard Hughes) Diamondsandrubies – Aidan O’Brien (Seamie Heffernan) Jack Naylor – Mrs John Harrington (Fran Berry) Jazzi Top – John Gosden (Frankie Dettori) Lady Of Dubai – Luca Cumani (Adam Kirby) Legatissimo – David Wachman (Ryan Moore) Qualify – Aidan O’Brien (Colm O’Donoghue) Star Of Seville – John Gosden (William Buick) Together Forever – Aidan O’Brien (Joseph O’Brien)
Ryan knows. Legatissimo has the best form for this race. She has wonderful breeding being out of a sister to Fame and Glory. Though I'd like it to rain for other reasons I hope rain doesn't destroy her chance.
How many 1000G winners have run in the Oaks since Kazzia? As far as I can see Virginia Waters (who was over the top and probably wouldn't have stayed), Speciosa (hubris) and Blue Bunting (didn't stay). Legatissimo will stay.
