LAURENS IS OUT TO TOP CLASS AT YORK
CLASSIC heroines Laurens and Sea Of Class will do battle in a mouthwatering renewal of the Darley Yorkshire Oaks on tomorrow.
Having rounded off her juvenile campaign with a Group One success in the Fillies’ Mile, the Karl Burke-trained Laurens finished second in the 1000 Guineas in May before claiming further top-level honours across the Channel in the Prix Saint-Alary and the Prix de Diane (French Oaks).
She steps up to a mile and a half to take on her elders for the first time on the Knavesmire, where she will once again be ridden by Wexford jockey PJ McDonald.
McDonald made his name originally in National Hunt, but has taken his career to another level since switching to the Flat and fully expects Laurens to relish the longer distance.
Speaking ahead of what is another leg of the Qipco British Champions Series, he said: ‘You could go through your whole career and not find a horse like her. She’s a oncein-a-lifetime filly.
‘It’s been a privilege to be involved with her, but the exciting and scary thing is that she’s still improving, still getting stronger. We always thought she would have no problem staying and I have no doubts in my mind, whatsoever, after the way she won the French Oaks.
‘Most of them have all run over the distance, whereas my filly is still unexposed over that trip. None of us have a crystal ball and she might not get home, but I would be shocked if that was the case. The dam’s side of her pedigree is all stamina.’
Sea Of Class was unraced as a two-year-old, but has appeared intent on making up for last time this season, winning three of her four starts for William Haggas including a thrilling triumph in last month’s Irish Oaks at the Curragh.
The Sea The Stars filly was given an ice-cool ride that day by James Doyle when making a late move.
Assessing tactics for this latest test, he said: ‘I don’t think we have to sit last, that was the way it panned out at the Curragh. They can get away on the front end at York, so I will speak to William and we will come up with a plan.’