The Investec Derby Festival gets under way today with the Gr1 Investec Oaks and the Gr1 Coronation Cup heading the programme.
Godolpin trainer, Charlie Appleby
Godolphin bid to land the Oaks for the first time since Kazzia struck under Frankie Dettori in 2002 with the Charlie Appleby-trained Wild Illusion.
Wild Illusion was a shock winner of a Group 1 in France last October and is the only member of this year’s line-up to have previously scored at the very highest level.
The daughter of Dubawi finished fourth on her return to action in the 1000 Guineas on good to firm ground.
The Oaks trophy
Conditions are likely to be considerably slower at Epsom, but that should not cause an issue – on pedigree she is better equipped for a stamina test than many of her rivals.
Appleby’s fellow Newmarket trainer William Haggas saddles another filly who ought not to fail through lack of staying power. Give And Take won the Group 3 Musidora Stakes at York, a leading trial for this contest.
Aidan O’Brien – strong hand
Aidan O’Brien does not have the favourite this year but is still very strongly represented with no less than five of the nine runners including Cheshire Oaks first and second, Magic Wand and Forever Together.
Magic Wand came out on top by three and a half lengths at Chester but it could be much closer between them now. The latter’s rider Donnacha O’Brien had to switch her twice in the short home straight and she was finishing strongly.
Lingfield Oaks Trial winner Perfect Clarity is unbeaten in two starts for Clive Cox and Adam Kirby. Her trainer rates the filly very highly and she seemed to handle the track well at the ‘Breakfast With The Stars’ event last week. “I’ve got enormous confidence that she’s going to acquit herself well,” said Cox.
Last year’s brilliant Champion Stakes winner Cracksman ought to register a similarly emphatic success as he faces just five rivals in the Investec Coronation Cup, the other Group 1 contest on the card.
He returned to action this season with a stylish victory in France in the Prix Ganay. He is likely to be a long odds-on favourite in the Group One as he returns to Epsom after finishing third in the Derby a year ago.
SA off-times for the programe:
15h00 (BST) Investec Woodcote EBF Stakes (1200m)
15h35 Investec Click & Invest Mile Handicap (1700m)
16h10 Investec Coronation Cup (Group 1) (2400m)
16h45 Investec Wealth & Investment Handicap (2000m)
17h30 Investec Oaks (Fillies’ Group 1) (2400m)
18h15 Investec Surrey Stakes (Listed) (3yo) (1400m)
18h50 Investec Zebra Handicap (1400m)
