Snow seeking Oaks gold
Snow Fairy bids to make the most of the absence of old rival Midday when going for glory in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks on Thursday.
Snow Fairy was victorious in both the English and Irish Oaks last season but then found Henry Cecil’s Midday too strong in this contest 12 months ago.
Ed Dunlop’s star performer made a late start to the current campaign after a setback early in the year, but she ran an encouraging enough race against the boys in the Coral-Eclipse before again finding Midday too strong in the Nassau at Goodwood.
With the latter instead lining up in Wednesday’s Juddmonte International, the way is clear for Snow Fairy to open her account for the season, although she will still face a thorough examination from the Classic generation.
Godolphin’s 1000 Guineas and Irish Oaks heroine Blue Bunting heads the younger brigade and is joined by a number of those who opposed her at the Curragh last time.
Patrick Cooper, racing manager to Snow Fairy’s owner Cristina Patino, said: “I believe Ed is very happy with Snow Fairy and everyone keeps telling me she’s improved again since Goodwood.
“She progressed a lot from her first run to her second and Frankie (Dettori) was sure last time that she would improve again. Hopefully she has.
“We’re going to find out whether the four-year-old or the three-year-old fillies are better. Even though Midday is not there, it’s a very good race.
“Blue Bunting is a dual Classic winner and I think any of the first four from the Irish Oaks could win it. I actually think Jessica Harrington’s horse (Laughing Lashes) might have won that day if Fran Berry hadn’t dropped his whip and we know what a tough filly Banimpire is, so it should be a very good race.”
Snow Fairy will have a third different jockey on just her third start this season at York, with Olivier Peslier taking the reins this time.
Cooper added: “I don’t think the change of jockey will be a problem. I would imagine she’s getting used to having a new rider each time by now!
“Olivier is certainly in form judged by results at Deauville on Monday, where he had four winners.
“We’re very happy with our filly and we just hope that the ground dries out a bit by Thursday. That is one of the reasons we decided to run in the Oaks rather than the big race on Wednesday.
“I think it’s due to get drier as the week progresses, so hopefully that is the case as the drier it gets, the better for her.”
Blue Bunting's rider Frankie Dettori blames himself for the filly's slightly disappointing fourth in the Oaks at Epsom, but feels the form of her victory in the Irish equivalent gives her sound claims on the Knavesmire.
“She is a very tough filly. We were surprised she had enough gears to win a (1000) Guineas and it was probably not my best hour in the Oaks,” said the popular Italian.
“I redeemed myself in the Irish Oaks and the form is rock solid, with the William Haggas horse (Dancing Rain) winning the German Oaks, and Jim Bolger’s filly (Banimpire) has won again.
“She’ll have to be at her very best to win again at York but she is tough.”
Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford feels connections have little option but to let Blue Bunting test her powers against her elders.
Godolphin’s racing manager Simon Crisford said: “She has done well since the Irish Oaks and we are very pleased with her.
“The mile and a half on the Knavesmire should suit her. She is a dual Classic winner and we’ve got to go there with her.”
