Callan relishing Oaks chance

NEIL Callan feels Rainbow View and Sariska are the fillies to beat when he gets the leg up on well-touted outsider Wadaat in the Investec Oaks at Epsom tomorrow.

His mount, trained by Clive Brittain, is no forlorn hope, having put a disappointing run at Lingfield behind her to go within a whisker of winning the Italian Oaks.

“There’s a few in there who have impressed. Everybody was disappointed with Rainbow View in the (1000) Guineas, but she impressed me with the way she finished up the hill,” said Callan.

“She seems more relaxed than she was last year so she has to be the one to beat along with Sariska, it wasn’t the strongest Musidora but she could only beat what was there.

“My filly is nice, I know on the ratings she has a bit to find. She won a maiden at Yarmouth, she did it the hard way in front.

“In the Oaks trial at Lingfield she was a long way behind, Stephane Pasquier rode her and it is a funny track if you don’t know it, she didn’t really get into the race.

“She proved that all wrong in Italy when she was ridden handier, saw the trip out well and was only touched off on the line. That was a Group Two and she was worthy of that,” Callan told At The Races.

Bruce Raymond, racing manager to owner Saeed Manana, believes Wadaat has each-way prospects.

“She ran a remarkable race in Italy. There was a big turnaround in her form as Clive expected her to do from her previous run,” he said.

“I think she has a good chance, the way she is going, of being in the first three.

“I don’t think honestly Wadaat will turn the tables from Lingfield with Midday, who I was impressed with that day but she definitely would have finished second with a better ride and there’s every chance she’ll be there at the finish.

“She stays really well and is in top form.”