1:30 Epsom
The opener on Paks Day is the 3-year-old Surrey Stakes, a listed contest over 7f.
The horse I like is SAQQARA SANDS (11/2), trained by Ralph Beckett. Beckett is very good at bringing his fillies along and I expect this horse to improve now as she enters her 3-year-old campaign. She had three starts at 2. Her debut effort was full of promise when she finished runner-up at Wolves. She duly put that right when winning at Newmarket before following up with a close second at listed level. I expect she’ll continue on an upward trajectory, and from stall 4, she can make a bold bid.
2:05 Epsom
Next up is the Woodcote Stakes, a 6f contest for the 2 year-olds.
I like HAVANA HURRICANE (4/1) in this. An impressive winner on debut at Goodwood when coming from off the pace after a slow start to win going away at the line. That form has had a boost since with the runner-up going in on his next start. He should have no problems with the track, having won at Goodwoo,d and the yard have won this before so they know what it takes. I expect him to improve bundles for that debut effort as it looked like he’d have learn a lot. He ought to go close.
2:40 Epsom
The 2:40 is the first Group 1 race, the Coronation Cup over 1m4f.
I will chance YOU GOT TO ME (14/1) EW in this. A winner on his seasonal debut at both 2 and 3, coming here fresh certainly could be a positive. Now with Amo Racing, I’m sure she’ll be ready to go first time up, regardless. The Irish Oaks winner of last season, she looks sure to improve again at the age of 4 and with her likely to get her own way out in front, she looks a lively contender in a wide-open renewal.
3:15 Epsom
The 3:15 race is a competitive handicap over the 7f trip.
I think WESTERTON (20/1) EW is handicapped to go well off a current mark of 88, and he has certainly shown enough promise in two starts this year. Finishing 6th on both occasions at Goodwood and York, they were competitive handicaps and he wasn’t beaten far come the line. A bit of cut in the ground will do his chances no harm, and I’m hopeful Hollie Doyle can get a good tune out of him today.
4:00 Epsom
The feature race comes at 4:00, the Group 1 Betfred Oaks. A race for the 3-year-old fillies over 1m4f.
The one for me is MINNIE HAWK (4/1). An impressive winner of the Cheshire Oaks, the Frankel filly appeared to relish the step up in trip. Proven around a track like Chester gives us plenty of encouragement for Epsom, and with her only having 3 career starts coming into this race, she’s open to more improvement than most. She’s the choice of Ryan Moore, which speaks volumes. Stall 2 means she should get a nice early position and I think she can utilise her potential combination of speed and stamina to see of her rivals.
Bookies Offers for Oaks Day at Epsom
[table_list num=”7″ cat=”Homepage” sort=”date” logo_aff_link=”true”]