Sly may chose Oaks over Curragh

A decision on whether Connections of Speciosa will participate in the Vodafone Oaks will be made next week.

Pam Sly’s three-year-old, who won the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket with two and a half lengths to spare from Confidential Lady, is also being considered to race at the Curragh on May 28.

However, the Peterborough-based handler revealed the Epsom Classic five days later, for which she is an 8-1 chance with VC Bet, is still the likely port of call.

“We are still keeping our options open but we are definitely leaning towards the Oaks,” said Sly.

“The Curragh keep ringing and telling me the ground will be nice and soft and I’m sure she’d probably win the Irish one.

“But I’m just a bit bothered she might hang across because she does have that tendency to veer left and the Curragh is right-handed.”

As Speciosa has yet to run over further than a mile, Sly admits she will be taking a shot in the dark supplementing her stable-star for the Oaks, which is competed over 12 furlongs.

“I think she’ll stay a mile and a quarter but I’ll have to take the gamble she’ll get that bit further,” she added.

“She’s fine after the Guineas though. She had a week off in her pen but had a canter on Monday and we are now just easing her back into work again.”