It was another Oaks win for record-breaking trainer Aidan O’Brien as he took his tally in the Epsom’s fillies’ classic to 11 courtesy of the filly Minnie Hauk.
Godolphin’s Desert Flower was a hot favourite for the race following her convincing win in the 1,000 Guineas a month earlier. Stamina doubts didn’t put backers off the Charlie Appleby trained filly and she went off a strong 11/10 favourite.
In the race it was another of the Aidan O’Brien runners, Whirl, who set the pace with both Minnie Hauk and Desert Flower close up in second and fourth. That order remained unchanged and as they began to make the turn around Tattenham Corner the two O’Brien runners set sail for home and William Buick was immediately urging Desert Flower to keep up but the front two had stolen first run by that stage.
As they went up the straight the race became a shoot-out between Minnie Hauk and Whirl who, despite having made all the running, was staying on resolutely. At the two furlong pole they were neck and neck but Minnie Hauk was just starting to nose in front. Whirl stayed with her right to the line but couldn’t quite get back on terms while Desert Flower, who looked like she might be struggling at one stage, stayed on in the end to finish four lengths behind the front pair in third. None of the rest ever really looked like getting into it.
The winner was taking a step up in class having won the Listed Cheshire Oaks at Chester last time out. She is bred in the purple being by the superstar racehorse and sire Frankel out of a half-sister to the top miler and sire Kingman.
Minnie Hauk and Whirl may meet again in the Irish Oaks in just over a month’s time and bookmakers Paddy Power make the pair 5/2 joint favourites for that contest.
Jockey Ryan Moore felt his filly still lacked experience, “She’s still learning a little bit. Aidan had a lot of faith in her. She travelled around strongly and I got to her quite easy, and then she was a little green in front,” he said after the race.
O’Brien, setting records that it is hard to see anyone ever equalling, was also of the opinion that there may be more to come from his filly – “I was delighted with this filly and she’s very classy. She was just ready to run at Chester and she made improvement from that. Ryan gave her a beautiful ride and she’s a very exciting filly.”
If she does make the expected improvement Paddy Power’s offer of 16/1 for the Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe may look generous come October.
