Epsom Racecourse: Preview and Tips for Oaks Day
The Derby meeting is upon us and the greatly-anticipated Oaks Day card hosts seven intriguing races.
Read below for a preview of the Epsom card courtesy of Racing TV, who offer the latest horse racing free bet offers.
Kicking off the afternoon’s top class action is the Listed Surrey Stakes, run over seven furlongs (1.30). Topping the ratings is The Waco Kid, whose two starts so far this season has been far below his best, so connections try him in first time cheekpieces here in the hope that he can recapture his Tattersalls Stakes winning form of last year, in which race he finished ahead of Diego Ventura. Given a fair amount of weight by the colts, Formal might spring a surprise on a track which just might suit her.
Next is the two-year-olds’ Woodcote Stakes over six furlongs (2.05), which introduces just one debutant in the shape of George Baker’s Trinculo, who has his work cut out for him on his first try here amongst a high quality field. Charlie Appleby has a very good strike rate at Epsom, therefore his talented, fast colt Maximised looks the most likely of these, but Havana Hurricane could be a close second.
The Group 1 Coronation Cup is next, with a quality multi-national field of seven runners (2.40). French raider Calandagan tops the ratings, has beaten some of his opponents here in the past and is fit from a run in Dubai in April. He’s tough and will be up to this, but is untried at this tricky track. Bellum Justum ran a good race in the Derby over course and distance last year and has taken a step forward this term already, so could pick up a place at least. Irish Oaks winning filly You Got To Me musn’t be underestimated in this company, but does lack a prep run.
3.15 brings the Nifty 50 Handicap, run over a mile and quarter. John & Thady Gosden have a very strong strike rate of 31% at Epsom, therefore their runner Mutaawid is worth considering after a particularly impressive six-length win last time at Newmarket, but he has been heavily penalised for that performance by the handicapper. Roger Varian’s Defiance should have a chance, having finished a close second over course and distance last year in the Blue Riband Trial, but may need this run to get up to speed for the season, leaving Rathgar looking a good option with proven ability over undulating tracks and remaining on the same mark as his last three starts.
The eagerly anticipated feature is next; the Group 1 Oaks over a mile and a half (4.00). Godolphin’s 1,000 Guineas winning Desert Flower is the best on ratings by a long way, but she is untried over this trip. There is, however, plenty of staying power throughout her pedigree, so this is unlikely to have too great an impact on her ability to win the second leg of the fillies’ Triple Crown. Aidan O’Brien’s Miinie Hauk ought to be her main competition, but Ed Walker’s Qilin Queen, who is well equipped with a staying pedigree and shouldn’t be underestimated.
The penultimate race of Oaks Day is a handicap run over a mile and half a furlong (4.35). Ebt’s Guard is slowly improving and could be at the sharp end here, while Bopedro comes from David O’Meara’s bang in-form stable and wouldn’t be without a chance having placed on both his last starts with an eyecatching jockey booking in Rossa Ryan. Two Tempting is last year’s winner, but has risen sharply in the weights since that performance. A lower weighted, reliable sort such as Mr Baloo might be a better option.
The finale is a seven-furlong handicap of 13 runners (5.10). Rhoscolyn was last year’s winner of this race, and returns on a one-pound lower mark than his victory, but he might want slightly good to soft or soft ground. Although well beaten by Rhoscolyn that day, Darkness does have good course form and, having won well last time out at Thirsk, arrives in good sorts. He might prefer good ground here, but is versatile enough to cope with softer going if the rain comes.
Epsom selections – Friday
1.30 – Formal
2.05 – Maximised
2.40 – Calandagan
3.15 – Rathgar
4.00 – Qilin Queen e/w
4.35 – Mr Baloo
5.10 – Darkness
Image: David Jones Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license