The third British Classic of 2025, the Betfred Oaks runs at Epsom today.
As expected, the Shadwell operation have supplemented their Dubawi filly Elwateen at a cost of £30,000, increasing the field to nine at the six-day declaration stage.
Epsom Downs Racecourse will host the Betfred Oaks today (Pic – Epsom Downs Racecourse on FB)
The Saeed bin Suroor-trained Elwateen was having only her second career start when finishing fourth in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket last month, beaten just over two-lengths by Desert Flower.
Desert Flower is an 11/8 favourite to complete a Classic double for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby. She will be bidding to claim a sixth success and maintain her unbeaten record.
Aidan O’Brien (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Ten-time Oaks-winning trainer Aidan O’Brien reduced his challenge to three, headed by his emphatic Musidora heroine Whirl. Gr3 Chester Oaks scorer Minnie Hauk and the listed Lingfield winner Giselle are the other two Ballydoyle contenders, although the stables riding arrangements are not declared.
Joseph O’Brien plans to raid with his daughter of Australia Wemightakedlongway who was an easy winner of a Gr3 at Navan in April.
English-trained Qilin Queen, Revoir and Go Go Boots complete the field.
Conditions at Epsom are expected to quicken further following a dry weekend, with the ground changed to good.
Buick finished second in the Oaks on Dance Sequence 12 months ago but was full of confidence of changing his fortunes in Friday’s Classic.
He noted: “Desert Flower is a high-class filly who has never put a foot wrong. She’s well balanced and travels well throughout her races, and tactically she’s incredibly versatile; I don’t think Epsom is going to pose any problems. She’s always been strong towards the end of her races and I’m hopeful she’ll get the trip.”
He added that the favourite would be able to handle the step up in trip, although he plans to “ride her accordingly “to stay the extra half a mile.
She will need to be, as Aidan O’Brien’s three runners are all proven over the trip having won their Oaks ‘trials’ easily and stable tactics are certain to be in play.
Earlier on the day, French raider Calandagan looks the part in the Gr1 Betfred Coronation Cup (15h40).
The Francis Graffard-trained son of Gleneagles takes on seven rivals in this prestigious mile and a half contest.
The four-year-old had a great season last year winning at Royal Ascot before finding only City Of Troy a length too good in the Juddmonte International at York. He followed that up with a close second to Anmaat in the Champion Stakes at Ascot when slightly unlucky in running.
His biggest danger is last season’s St Leger winner Jan Brueghel for Aidan O’Brien, who could also run likely pacemaker Continuous to ensure a testing gallop.
