SEE HOW THEY WON: EPSOM OAKS TRIALS AT THE CRUCIAL STAGE: In the last of his ‘see how they won’ series, Daqman follows the Oaks-trials trail to the fillies’ Classic, matching this year’s probables to the CVs of winners of recent years. Just York tomorrow remains, with its Musidora Stakes, to complete the jigsaw.
RACE THAT MAY LEAD TO CLASSIC GLORY AND A TUESDAY WINNER: Today’s racing DAQMAN naps in the opener at Beverley and finds a runner at lowly Wetherby with a link to this year’s form of the Epsom favourite, Bolshoi Ballet. SEE: Derby Clue To Wetherby Handicap
MAGIC NEEDED FROM THE MUSIDORA
It’s all down to the Musidora. I’ve listed below those fillies currently following the trends to potential Oaks victory.
But they are relative outsiders alongside the well-fancied Aidan O’Brien pair, Santa Barbara (big home reputation though maiden win only and fourth in the 1,000 Guineas) and Joan of Arc, winner of the Irish 1,000 Trial at the weekend.
The Derby has a similar O’Brien one-two look about it, and the Musidora is the last bastion to a solid home Classic challenger.
The York race is out of fashion as an Oaks guide. Though six fillies have done the double, the only one in modern times to win on the Knavesmire and go on to Oaks triumph was Sariska (2009).
One among Noon Star (Sir Michael Stoute), Mystery Angel and Teona (Roger Varian) must stake a strong claim.
Dubai Fountain (Mark Johnston) and Zeyaadah (see below) were first and second in the Cheshire Oaks, won previously by Oaks winner Enable (2017) and in which the 2018 winner at Epsom, Forever Together was second (hampered).
Mother Earth (Aidan O’Brien) Won the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket (Saffron Beach second, Santa Barbara fourth). The double was completed in the Oaks by both Minding (2016) and Love (2020).
Mystery Angel (George Boughey) Taghrooda and Talent in successive years (2013-14) both won the Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket as their Oaks-winning prep. Mystery Angel was this year’s winner.
Shale (Donnacha O’Brien) Won the Group-1 Moyglare (7f, The Curragh) last September but well beaten twice since. Last year’s 1,000 Guineas and Oaks winner, Love, won the Moyglare.
Sherbet Lemon (Archie Watson) Took the Lingfield Oaks Trial on Saturday as did the 2019 Oaks winner, Anapurna.
Zeyaadah (Roger Varian) See Dubai Fountain.
BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE 9.6 Zeyaadah, 12.0 Dubai Fountain, 37 Sherbet Lemon, 44 Mother Earth, 46 Shale.
SHARK LOOKS WORTH A NIBBLE
⭕ 1.45 Beverley Caio Shark showed plenty of speed on debut and with a favourable draw (4) here looks worth an interest to get off the mark.
The Michael Bell trained youngster finished a close up third of four at Doncaster and that looks the best form on offer.
Aleezdancer ran well enough on debut over course and distance when fourth and shaped as though he will come on plenty for the run but the big caveat is the draw and he has fared worse of all in box 14.
Of the others who have run Dandy Dinmont is hard to assess having finished fifth in France at Chantilly on debut. The form hasn’t worked out particularly well.
DERBY CLUE TO WETHERBY HANDICAP
⭕ 5.15 Wetherby Derby favourite Bolshoi Ballet made his debut at Newmarket in a class-4 maiden last October, run on the soft in slow time.
Genuine students of the rise and rise of these superb thoroughbred athletes will already know that.
But it’s worth a glance back at the race while you are swatting up the form for this class-5 stamina test at Wetherby, would you believe.
Bolshoi Ballet ran green and was only third at HQ that day, while a once-raced grey of Ralph Beckett’s called Zinc White led for a long way but weakened a furlong out.
Beckett, who trains in Hampshire, could have run Zinc White – gelded since those early days – just 16 miles away at Salisbury on Thursday over 1m 4f.
So it’s saying something, as we clutch at straws blowing in the wind of weekday form, that Zinc White travels instead 218 miles to Wetherby to race over two furlongs further in a class-5 handicap.
Beckett, who landed a double on Saturday, has a 40% strike rate with a handful of Wetherby runners over the years.
FORUS WILL DO FOR US
⭕ 8.35 Ayr The Mark Johnston trained Puckle heads the BETDAQ market but has proved hard to win with off what might be a still too punitive handicap mark.
The filly was beaten a neck last time out at Hamilton and off the same mark might still prove vulnerable in what may prove a better contest.
A viable alternative is Forus who represents the in-form stable of Grant Tuer. He looks on a good mark of 59 having placed previously off higher marks.
He comes into this off a good effort on the all-weather at Newcastle.
DAQMAN’S BETS
1.45 Beverley (win 10)
BET 7.1pts win (nap) CAIO SHARK
5.15 Wetherby (win 10)
BET 3.0pts win ZINC WHITE
8.35 Ayr (win 10)
BET 2.8pts win FORUS
What are points? Points facilitate a staking plan, which is the secret to creating profit. One point is whatever you choose: a pound, a euro, or whatever ….
Start with a bank and decide how much you can afford to lose over a period of time, and determine the size of your bets accordingly. Daqman makes this variation every day.
