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'There's only one Oaks so we'll give it a go' - Haggas aims Frankellina at Epsom

3 minute read

Classic-winning trainer William Haggas will be two-handed in Friday's Investec Oaks after his Musidora joint runner-up Frankellina pleased in a key piece of work in Newmarket.

Trainer : William Haggas
Trainer : William Haggas Picture: Pat Healy Photography

He described the daughter of Frankel as "long on potential" after committing her to take her place alongside her shorter-priced stablemate Maqsad in the fillies' Classic that Haggas won with Dancing Rain in 2011.

A general 16-1 chance on Tuesday, Frankellina, who will wear the Anthony Oppenheimer colours carried to Classic glory by Golden Horn in the Derby in 2015, ran well for a filly having just her second start on her seasonal reappearance at York this month where she was beaten a neck by Nausha.

Haggas said about the mount of James Doyle: "Frankellina seems to have come forward from York and there's only one Oaks so we're giving it a go.

"There's only one certainty in life and that is if you've got a runner you've got a chance. If you're not in, you can't win."

Frankellina  won a maiden at Yarmouth on her sole juvenile outing in October but Haggas said what she lacks in time on the track she makes up for in scope.

He said: "We know she's short on experience and it's early in her career but she's long on potential.

"She's a different sort to our other runner Maqsad who has more speed, but Frankellina will stay very well whereas some might not.

"It's nice to have two in the race but whether there is a winner among them is another matter."

Maqsad, winner of the Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket this month and the mount of Jim Crowley, is a general 7-1 shot for the £523,750 contest.

Prior to York, Haggas took Frankellina out of the Lingfield Oaks trial due to easy conditions, something she is unlikely to encounter on Friday. 

The going at Epsom was changed to good, good to firm in places (from good) after a largely dry day on Tuesday, with the course likely to resume watering on Wednesday.

In contrast to some areas in the south, Epsom had only a couple of light showers on Tuesday and with no appreciable rain on their radar, officials are set to turn the taps on for the first time since Saturday to maintain conditions.
 
Clerk of the course Andrew Cooper said on Tuesday: "We've only had a couple of light showers here today which would not amount to 1mm but is the first rainfall since May 10.
 
"Due to the forecast we've left the ground alone since Saturday but, having walked it, I'd say it's good, good to firm in places. The GoingStick reading is 7.8 which in our experience is somewhere between good and good to firm.
 
"Looking at the forecast we are due no appreciable rain so the time has come to step back in with the watering. We intend to put 3-5 mm over a complete circuit to maintain it where it is and we'll review the position on Thursday."
 
There will be a fresh strip of ground from the mile pole for Derby day on Saturday. 
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