William Buick backs Desert Flower to bloom in quest for Oaks glory as filly bids to make history at Epsom
William Buick is dreaming that Desert Flower will bloom in the most spectacular fashion and retain her unbeaten record in the Betfred Oaks.
Desert Flower heads to Epsom on Friday as the hot favourite for the fillies' middle-distance Classic, her place at the head of the market secured by a brilliant performance in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket last month.
Love (2020), Minding (2016) and Kazzia (2002) are the only horses to have done the Oaks-Guineas double this century but confidence is high and Kieren Fallon, who rides work for owners Godolphin, feels Desert Flower winning is a 'foregone conclusion'.
Buick is not quite so bullish in public but the respect he holds for Desert Flower is huge and has been since he partnered her for the first time in a maiden at Newmarket last July.
'Ever since her first start, she's showed things that are just a bit out of the ordinary,' said Buick. 'Her work at home was out of the ordinary.
'You know what separates the good ones (from the rest) and she was doing things that suggested she was top-drawer.'
There are plenty of dangers, however, and Aidan O'Brien throws three darts at the prize.
Minnie Hauk, who warmed up for Epsom with a fine display at Chester, looks the pick from Ballydoyle.
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