GO MY DARLING
Frankly speaking, Oppenheimer may have a future Oaks winner
FRANKLY DARLING showed her Classic potential as racing came back from the COVID-19 blackout at Newcastle.
The John Gosden-trained daughter of Frankel turned the Betway Maiden Stakes (Div I) into a procession, scoring by five lengths under Rab Havlin to earn a 12-1 quote for the Investec Oaks on July 4.
The 10-race card took place behind closed doors, but Frankly Darling’s owner Anthony Oppenheimer – whose colours were carried to Derby glory by Golden Horn in 2015 – said: “She’s immature and still looked green in the race, but she’s a nice filly and that was just what she needed.”
Frankly Darling will now step up in grade to test her Classic credentials, with the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 20 the most likely option.
Oppenheimer, whose Star Catcher won the Group 2 fillies’ test in 2019, added: “I have a slight suspicion that she will go for the Ribblesdale – but
John doesn’t tell me anything!”
Oppenheimer has another Oaks candidate in the William Haggas trainee Domino Darling, who returns in the Listed Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket on Sunday.
“I thought I couldn’t have too many ‘Darlings’ but maybe two is enough!” said Oppenheimer (above). Art Also set for the Royal Heath is Power,
who galloped to a five-and-ahalf-length victory for Tim Easterby and Silvestre de Sousa in the Betway Novice Stakes (Div II).
De Sousa’s mount, who carries the Leicester City silks of King Power Racing, has the option of the fivefurlong Palace of Holyroodhouse Handicap – run at the meeting for the first time – or the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup.
“He’s a nice horse and Tim thinks a lot of him,” said the winning jockey. “He’s got some classy entries, but he had to prove he could do it.
“Mentally, he’s not there yet. He’s still a big baby.”
North Yorkshire handler Roger Fell made the perfect start to the remodelled 2020 Flat season as 22-1 Zodiakos shot fought to a neck victory over stablemate Al Ozzdi. Asked how he had coped with the lockdown – racing was returning 76 days in abeyance – Fell said: “It has not been too bad for us as we’re quite isolated – we’re not round lots of other people.
“A lot of the staff live on site so it’s been quite easy.”