Epsom Oaks 2015: Crystal Zvezda to sparkle

Picture: Racing Post THE Epsom Oaks 2015 is a conundrum. But you would think Ryan Moore has all the answers. He has ridden the first five in the ante-post market and whatever he chooses to get the leg-up on, well, that should be a big tip in itself. Some bookies have even got special “Who will Ryan Moore ride in the Oaks markets?” Crazy really…

He is widely expected to ride Legatissimo, who won the Qipco 1,000 Guineas in the style of a filly who will clearly stay further. She is certainly a worthy favourite at 3/1 although she is being pressured at the head of the market by Crystal Zvezda (9/2), who has been heavily supported in recent days. She was one of the most impressive winners of the season in a Listed contest at Newbury and Sir Michael Stoute has been unusually bullish about her Epsom chance. Moore won’t be riding her as he will be claimed by Coolmore but I’d love to know if he would have ridden her, given the choice. As it is, Richard Hughes looks set to take the ride. Not a bad stand-in, you might say.

Moore’s other possible rides for Coolmore include Found who was a solid second in the Irish 1,000 Guineas but who may still run in the Epsom Derby. Aidan O’Brien thinks she badly needs further than a mile but I would be surprised if the jockey chooses her ahead of Legatissimo.

Diamondsandrubies and Together Forever are the other two possible mounts for Moore. The former was impressive in the Cheshire Oaks and looks to have serious gears while Together Forever gave Star Of Seville a fright in the Musidora.

Fourteen fillies have stood their ground for Friday’s race and, of the others, Star of Seville is interesting as you suspect there is more to come from her. Frankie Dettori was bullish after the Musidora and 10/1 is a tempting each-way price. John Gosden also has Jazzi Top who has done nothing wrong in her two victories this season while Lady of Dubai could not have been more impressive at Goodwood and may offer some each-way value at 14/1.

The race is full of quality and that is reflected in a fairly open Oaks betting market but CRYSTAL ZVEZDA does it for me with an each-way saver on Lady of Dubai.

Be lucky!

One thought on “Epsom Oaks 2015: Crystal Zvezda to sparkle”

  1. Graham Oliver says:

    Hi Jason.
    An interesting summary of the Oaks, and not a lot to disagree with.

    I am rowing in with Diamondsandrubies, who I thought was mightily impressive at Chester. For a place I side with the favourite, Legatissimo.

    I find myself in a bit of a quandary about Found. I actually think she may be the best filly in the race, but good enough to run in the Derby. I do hope she runs in the colt’s classic, and if she does, I expect her to run well, and certainly to recoup her supplementary cost.

    Although I mentioned on your previous post about fillies not having won for a century, very few have actually participated. I remember Cape Verdi running (I forget the year) and before that Nelson Bunker Hunt’s very tough Vaguely Noble filly Nobiliary ran a fine second to Grundy at Epsom before capping a fine season with victory in the Washington DC Internationa.

    Cheers!

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