Classic dreams at Trillium Place

04 June 2014

IT’S massive for any yard when they have a Classic runner and on Friday, trainer David Simcock will saddle not one, but two fillies for the Investec Oaks.

 

Unbeaten Musidora Stakes heroine Madame Chiang and Lingfield Oaks Trial third Momentus will line up in a field of 17 for what is sure to be a hotly-contested Group 1 contest at Epsom.

 

David said: “It is exciting for us. My last two Classic runners, realistically, had no chance, but I feel these are two nice fillies and neither will disgrace themselves.

 

“At the start of the season, we didn’t expect them to quite be good enough (to run in the Oaks) – it’s lovely how they have progressed. Back then, I thought we might have half a dozen nice middle-distance fillies and we’ve still got four or five.”

 

Madame Chiang, understandably, is the more fancied of the two Trillium Place runners on the Epsom Downs. This time, though, she won’t be partnered by Kieren Fallon – claimed for his Godolphin team – and instead an old ally of the yard William Buick will be aboard the daughter of Archipenko.

 

She is a filly who is favoured by cut in the ground and it looks as if she’ll have that on Friday. Momentus (to be ridden by Harry Bentley), on the other hand, would probably be suited by a quicker surface, according to their trainer.

 

The pair had a blow-out this morning after both working on Saturday. On the home gallops it is Momentus who catches the eye more than her stable-mate, who seemingly preserves her best for where it really matters – the racecourse.

 

David added: “Momentus is a quicker filly at home. She would be the one you would fancy not the other – she just shows more speed.

 

“But we know Madame Chiang is well and handles the type of ground she is likely to have on Friday. Momentus is probably suited by faster ground.”

 

All the elements for an intriguing race are there and David is sure of one thing: it is impossible to call.

 

He said: “I’ve not seen a horse in there that isn’t entitled to be and you don’t often find Classics like that. You can see why each of the four fillies has been supplemented. I certainly would not want to make a prediction on the result.”

 

David and the rest of us will know the answer to the 2014 Investec Oaks puzzler a little after 4pm on Friday.