Akdarena sparks Oaks dream after runaway win

AKDARENA, trained by Jim Bolger and carrying the familiar colours of Miss Kirsten Rausing, scored a runaway win in the Group 3 Blue Wind Stakes at Naas last night and will now bid for classic glory.

A battling winner last time in Navan, the Hernando filly dictated the pace under stable-jockey Kevin Manning and, turning for home, had her eight rivals in trouble. Staying on strongly up the hill, she powered clear to beat Indiana Gal by seven lengths with Grace O’Malley third.

“No decision will be made tonight,” stated winning trainer Bolger when asked if Akdarena would go for the Investec Oaks at Epsom, “But she’s definitely in the mix.”