Buick backing Desert Flower to bloom in Oaks

Irish Examiner

2 days ago

The Betfred Oaks may be missing from both William Buick and Charlie Appleby's CV, but the leading rider is backing 1000 Guineas heroine Desert Flower to fill that void at Epsom on Friday.
It has been a sublime start to the summer for the handler and his number one rider, and after picking up both Classics at Newmarket last month the pair now head to the Surrey Downs with an exceptional chance to continue their hot streak in racing's crown jewel events.
The unbeaten Desert Flower has carried all before her in her career to date and now steps up in trip, with Buick confident her versatility will aid her bid to not only stay the trip but become the first filly since Love in 2020 to complete the Newmarket/Epsom double.
Buick, who will team up with 2000 Guineas winner Ruling Court in Saturday's Derby, said of his Oaks mount: "I think she's tactically very versatile, but as she's only run over a mile you would have to ride her slightly accordingly. But I do think she's very versatile — each time I've ridden her she has adapted to the race scenario.
"We could have kept her at a mile, it was put across the table as a plan, but we all felt she would get further. Whether that is a mile and a quarter or a mile and a half, we will see on Friday."
Saeed Bin Suroor's Elwateen was fourth to Desert Flower on just her second start in the 1000 Guineas and the Newmarket handler could celebrate the 30th anniversary of Lammtarra's Derby success in style, as like her Rowley Mile conqueror she puts her stamina to the test.
Bin Suroor said: "She ran a really good race in the Guineas and she came out of that well. To finish fourth in the Guineas on just her second run after winning her maiden was very good.
"This is her first run over a mile and half, but she should stay because she is nice and relaxed. I think she'll run well."
Aidan O'Brien has won the showpiece event 10 times and saddles a host of trial winners in search of number 11.
Ryan Moore has plumped for Cheshire Oaks scorer Minnie Hauk from the Ballydoyle trio, as she bids to become the first filly since Enable to follow up success on the Roodee at Epsom.
O'Brien said: "Minnie Hauk was just ready to start in Chester, we had to try to get a run into her somewhere before the Oaks and that suited perfectly. We knew it wouldn't be too demanding on her and she would have learned plenty.
"She's a lovely filly with a good nature, a good traveller and has a good stride to her. She shows plenty of pace in her work in her half-speeds."
The master of Ballydoyle will also be represented by Giselle and Whirl, who tuned up for duty with wins at Lingfield and in York's Musidora Stakes respectively.
O'Brien continued: "Giselle got very keen through the winter and spring and wanted to do too much so we didn't get to do an awful lot with her — it was all about relaxing her.
"If we were going to the Oaks she had to run and Lingfield was about the only place she could. She was probably very underdone fitness-wise in Lingfield, we were just hoping to get her started and go from there, so we were delighted with the way she won and she's come forward a lot since then we think.
"Whirl is a very straightforward filly and Ryan was very happy to make the running on her in York. A filly came up either side of her, but that was no problem to her, she's got a lovely mind and she got the mile and a quarter very well and looked like a filly that could get further."
Ralph Beckett has fond memories of the Oaks and having linked up with owner-breeder Julian Richmond-Watson when opening his Classic account with Look Here in 2008, the pair join forces again with Nottingham winner Revoir, who will attempt to reverse recent Newbury form with Ed Walker's Qilin Queen.
Joseph O'Brien's Wemightakedlongway and John and Thady Gosden's Go Go Boots complete the field of nine.