FAVOURITE WILD ILLUSION SUCCUMBS IN TACTICAL BATTLE TO FOREVER TOGETHER
Godolphin’s William Buick sportingly doffed his hat to his rivals after losing a tactical battle aboard the favourite Wild Illusion in the £500,000 Epsom Oaks (Group 1) on the opening day of the Epsom Derby Festival on Friday.
Fourth in the English 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket earlier this month, Wild Illusion was sent off as the 5/2 favourite to give Godolphin a fourth success in the fillies Classic following ■ the successes of Kazzia (2002), Balanchine (1995) and Moonshell (1994).
However, pitched against a five-horse team of Irish raiders, Buick’s filly ran her heart out only to be beaten by a superior horse on the day, Forever Together.
The winner was ridden by Donnacha O’Brien for his father, Aidan O’Brien, who was winning a seventh Oaks.
“I’m very proud of her, she ran a great race,” said a crestfallen Buick told ITV Racing.
“She did everything right, it’s very testing out there for these fillies.
“It was a straightforward race, all credit to the winner.”
Donnacha was full of praise for his filly, who was breaking her maiden at the fourth time of asking: “She was very impressive.
“She’s very genuine and galloped right out to the line, she’s a proper staying filly.”
Earlier in the afternoon, Cracksman ended top trainer John Gosden’s long wait for a first Coronation Cup when digging deep to land the Group 1 Coronation Cup, under a determined ride by Frankie Dettori.
The Prince of Wales’ Stakes (Group 1) at Royal Ascot in 19 days time is his next target as the son of Frankel bids for a fourth victory at the highest level.
Silvestre de Sousa looked set to pull off a shock victory aboard Salouen who led for most of the trip before he was caught on the shadow finishing post.
Hawkbill, Godolphin’s international flag-bearer who was seen as the horse most likely to pose problems to the winner, looked out of depth and was eased up to last-but-one of six runners in the 2,400 metre contest.
Gosden said: “I don’t know why but he wasn’t comfortable during the race — it certainly wasn’t the horse we know. However, he showed guts to get up and win and that’s what I’m pleased about.
“It was a brilliant ride from Silvestre (De Sousa on runnerup Salouen) as it’s very difficult of the ■
Forever Together wins the Epsom Oaks from Wild Illusion at Downs Racecourse in the UK yesterday.
I’m very proud of her, she ran a great race. She did everything right, it’s very testing out there for these fillies. [But ] all credit to the winner. is the total purse for today’s Epsom Derby, the richest race in Britain.
William Buick |
to come from behind on this ground — especially if you’re not enjoying running downhill.”
Meanwhile, a trip to Royal Ascot beckons for the Richard Fahey-trained Cosmic Law following his scintillating sixlength victory in the Woodcote Conditions Race, the first race of the tow-day Derby Festival,
Usain Boat, cleverly named with a nod to the great Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, stayed on for second.
Godolphin’s True Belief, sent out as a strong second favourite, did not appear to handle the Epsom course and was eased up to finish last of seven.