ESTRANGE (3.35) can claim the scalp of hot favourite Minnie Hauk in the Group One Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks.
Bookmakers William Hill are offering odds of 1-4 about the dual Classic heroine from Aidan O’Brien’s all-conquering yard making it a hat-trick at Group One level.
But Minnie Hauk had to be rousted along to get on top of Wemightakedlongway in the Curragh’s Irish Oaks, a horse she had further behind when galloping to glory in the English version at Epsom.
Still a little bit immature there, today’s short-priced market leader worked her way past Whirl as the pair went head-to-head for the prize.
At the prices, it is worth taking on the thorough stayer in the smallest field she has raced in, as Estrange has an excellent turn of foot.
David O’Meara’s leading horse of his local stable goes with zest on the bridle and has shown 1m 4f on a flat track really suits her.
O’Brien’s Ribblesdale heroine Garden Of Eden is expected to go through the gears to make it a fair test, but she has a bit to find on official figures along with Qilin Queen.
YORKSHIRE OAKS RUNNER GUIDE
1 Estrange
Trainer happy to give the Cheveley Park stud-owned grey the go-ahead, despite her preference for a slightly easier surface. However there was good sections of it yesterday with watering taking out any jar. Defeated only once in five starts, she only needed minimum encouragement to oblige in the Group Three Lester Piggott Fillies’ Stakes and her tactical pace is key to this.
2 Garden Of Eden
Habitually quick from the starting gates, the stamina-laden filly has improved as the distance of her races have increased. Helped Ryan Moore move up to tenth in the all-time list for flat jockeys with number 2,594 in the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot. Came unstuck on soft going in the German Oaks and should ensure solid fractions.
3 Minnie Hauk
Was the lowest-rated of the O’Brien contingent when Moore plumped for her in the Oaks at Epsom. Kept on well to pass Whirl who has gone to lift the Pretty Polly and Nassau Stakes. So form stands up to close inspection but her jockey has often stressed his mount will really thrive granted a truer test and today’s scenario could leave her slightly vulnerable.
4 Qilin Queen
Bounced back in the Group Two Prix De Malleret at Longchamp after finishing only eighth behind Minnie Hauk in the Oaks at Epsom. Given a fine ride in France by Kieran Shoemark, she held on bravely by a short-head. Needs to take her form to a new level here.
THE SCOUT’S YORKSHIRE OAKS TOP THREE
1 Estrange 2 Minnie Hauk 3 Qilin Queen
REST OF YORK’S DAY 2 CARD
DEBUT scorer AMERICA QUEEN (1.50) is fancied to rule ten opponents for the Group Two Sky Bet Lowther Stakes.
The grey repaid a small amount of her €180,000 purchase price when winning by the unusual margin of 12 lengths at Haydock.
Although she did not beat much, with the third, fourth and sixth among the horses to run since, the manner of victory was striking.
Billy Loughnane only had to push the daughter of Havana Grey out with hands and heels and she is strong in the ante-post market, with Ryan Moore a notable jockey booking.
The double-figure stalls appear to have the best of the early pace in the Harry’s Half Million By Goffs, worth £345,215 to the winner.
RIKKI TIKKI TAVI (2.25) and Front Line Fury should be up there and the latter is one of few proven horses on that side of the track.
However preference is for the thrice-raced runner, representing Kevin Ryan who secured this with Bogart in 2011 and Hototo 12 months later.
The yard’s horses have also been thereabouts in the last few renewals and Rikki Tikki Tavi showed an excellent attitude to hold off The Lost Sock in a Thirsk maiden.
Ryan introduced his gelding to racing over course and distance where he split the 93-rated Egoli and Stellar Sunrise, a youngster with a mark of 88.
With more experience gained, Rikki Tikki Tavi should be able to reach a level in between those rivals and he will be more streetwise than some based on his latest effort.
Running for the third time on the trot at the track, OLD COCK (3.00) can scoop some excellent prize money in the Clipper Handicap.
Calyx’s son was successful in similar conditions here in May and was not quite as sharp after a 58-day break subsequently.
However he has been highly progressive in a short time frame and receives weight from fellow leading contenders Bullet Point and Remmooz at a meeting which is important to his local yard.
Given Rainbows Edge sets a fair standard in the colours of the King and Queen, it is interesting ownermate AEOLIAN (4.10) also takes her chance in the Listed British EBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes.
A half-sister to the royal couple’s first Royal Ascot scorer Desert Hero, the fellow William Haggas trainee eased clear of a well-backed previous winner at Newmarket and the trainer took this with the twice-raced Sea Theme in 2023.
Recent records suggest horses with three or four starts are the ones to focus on in the Mews Hotel Ossett EBF Stallions Nursery.
Hey True Blue has each-way claims after heavy ground blunted his speed at Goodwood, as long as the race hasn’t left its mark.
But JUST A GIRL (4.45), a filly bred to be sharp, is uncomplicated and will give it a good go if obtaining a positive early position.
The British EBF Fillies’ Handicap looks one of the trickiest races on the card and stakes should be kept to a minimum.
DASH OF AZURE (5.20) is the tentative pick, a filly with her quirks but the raw talent to have a major say in the finish.
Another mount for Moore, she ran a big race in the Sandringham Stakes where she hung across the track and raced too keenly at Goodwood, so is worth another chance.
THE SCOUT’S YORK SELECTIONS
1.50 America Queen
2.25 Rikki Tikki Tavi
3.00 Old Cock
3.35 Estrange
4.10 Aeolian
4.45 Just A Girl
5.20 Dash Of Azure