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UK: Murtagh To Partner Roz

3 minute read

Roz is all set to be a first Investec Oaks runner for trainer Harry Dunlop who hopes that Johnny Murtagh will ride the three-year-old in the fillies' Classic on the first day of the 2013 Investec Derby Festival at Epsom Downs, Investec Ladies' Day, Friday, May 31.

Twelve fillies go for the £426,250 Investec Oaks, run over a mile and a half, following today's six-day confirmation and supplementary entry stage.

As expected, Banoffee has been supplemented at a cost of £30,000 by trainer Hughie Morrison following her impressive success in the Listed Cheshire Oaks on May 8, when she had the John Gosden-trained Gertrude Versed in second.

Heading the market at 5/2 with Coral, official betting partner of the 2013 Investec Derby Festival, is Secret Gesture, one of two entries going forward for trainer Ralph Beckett. The three-year-old daughter of Galileo was a facile 10-length winner of the Listed Oaks Trial at Lingfield Park on May 11.

Beckett's other entry is Talent, who also made a winning start to the season when taking the Listed Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket on May 5. Beckett won the 2008 Investec Oaks with Look Here.

Liber Nauticus, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, became very prominent in the Investec Oaks betting after winning the Group Three Tattersalls Musidora Stakes at York on May 15 and is unbeaten in two starts.

Roz, sired by Teofilo, put up her best performance of 2012 when second in the Group One Shadwell Fillies' Mile at Newmarket in late September.

She reappeared this year in the first British fillies' Classic, the QIPCO 1000 Guineas, over a mile at Newmarket on May 5 when she finished 10th of 15 to Sky Lantern.

The Dunlop family has a strong connection with the Investec Oaks, with Harry's father John saddling Circus Plume (1984) and Salsabil (1990) to victory, while the 2004 scorer Ouija Board and the 2010 winner Snow Fairy were trained by his brother Ed.

Harry Dunlop revealed: "The plan is to run Roz in the Investec Oaks. She has been fine since the Guineas and has come on a lot for the run.

"They went a bit too quick for her at Newmarket and I'm hoping the longer distance in the Oaks will suit her. It was still an encouraging run at Newmarket but going that half a stride slower will give us a chance to get involved.

"I don't think the course will hold any fears for her. I have been doing some work with her here on undulating gallops and she has obviously run at the Rowley Mile with that dip in there. I know that's nothing like Epsom and, although we are trying to do everything possible, we won't know until she tries it.

"I think the Investec Oaks is very open. Obviously, there are the top four or five but the likes of ourselves have every chance to be there.

"Ralph Beckett's filly (Secret Gesture) looks the best on what we have seen but ultimately Sir Michael Stoute's filly (Liber Nauticus) could improve and then you have Moth for Aidan O'Brien.

"Hopefully, Johnny Murtagh will ride Roz. It's a possibility and we have spoken to his agent and fingers crossed that's who we have got.

"I wouldn't count on it until we have declared her but hopefully that is the plan. Johnny has won the Oaks before and the Derby three times so there is no better man than him around Epsom."

O'Brien, seeking a fifth Investec Oaks victory, has retained three entries, headed by QIPCO 1000 Guineas third Moth. Moth is likely to be joined by stablemate Say, runaway winner of a 12-furlong maiden at Cork on May 10, while Snow Queen goes for tomorrow's Etihad Airways Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh.

Michael Bell, successful with Sariska in 2009, is likely to be doubly represented by The Lark, who is out of a half-sister to Sariska, and Madame Defarge, who was third behind Talent at Newmarket.

Completing the possible line-up for the 2013 Investec Oaks is Miss You Too (David Simcock), who was second to Secret Gesture at Lingfield.

Investec Oaks - Coral: Official Betting Partner

5/2 Secret Gesture, 3 Moth, 10/3 Liber Nauticus, 8 Banoffee, 10 Say, 14 Talent, 20 Snow Queen, Madame Defarge, 33 Gertrude Versed, The Lark, 50 Roz, 66 Miss You Too.
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