Two added to Oaks field
Connections of Virginia Waters have supplemented the Aidan O’Brien-trained filly for the Vodafone Oaks at a cost of £20,000 (€29,000).
The UltimatePoker.com 1000 Guineas heroine is one of two additions to the Epsom Classic as Fen Shui has been put in by Godolphin.
That means a maximum of 13 will go to post for the mile-and-a-half showpiece on Friday.
O’Brien had indicated earlier in the week he would supplement the daughter of Kingmambo if the ground looked like it may be on the quick side.
She was last seen finishing a disappointing eighth on much softer conditions in the Boylesports Irish 1000 Guineas at the Curragh last weekend.
The lightly-raced Fen Shui finished 10th in the Newmarket Classic on her only start this season.
O’Brien is also responsible for Mona Lisa and Silk And Scarlet but a notable absentee is Frances Crowley’s Irish 1000 winner Saoire.
Jim Bolger’s Pictavia and Dermot Weld’s Dream To Dress complete the Irish challenge while the Elie Lellouche-trained Argentina represents France.
Heading the home defence is ante-post favourite Eswarah, trained in Newmarket by Michael Jarvis and the easy winner of both her starts.
Lingfield Oaks trial victor Cassydora has also stood her ground along with David Elsworth’s impressive Lupe Stakes winner Something Exciting.
Mick Channon’s Joint Aspiration, the Michael Bell-trained Higher Love and Brian Meehan’s Magical Romance complete the field.
Simon Crisford, Godolphin’s racing manager, believes Fen Shui has earned her place in the Classic after showing up well on the gallops.
He said: “Fen Shui has been working nicely since the Guineas and we think she deserves to take her chance in the Oaks. The trip is an unknown. She shows plenty of speed and there are some stamina doubts.”
The extra entries mean the value of the race has now risen to £383,600 (€557,000).
Andrew Cooper, director of racing at Epsom, welcomed the two additions.
He said: “Virginia Waters and Fen Shui join a strong field for the Vodafone Oaks and I would expect virtually all of them to line up on Friday.
“The going is good at the moment. It is a bit cooler than yesterday but very breezy. I will walk the course again tomorrow and if necessary we will resume watering on Monday.
“The forecast is for mainly dry weather during the week – there could be some rain but it is not guaranteed.”
Vodafone Oaks: Argentina, Cassydora, Dream To Dance, Eswarah, Higher Love, Joint Aspiration, Magical Romance, Mona Lisa, Pictavia, Silk And Scarlet, Something Exciting, Fen Shui and Virginia Waters (13).
