? Victory puts Beatrice Aurore in frame for Classic
? Masked Marvel also a possible for Derby
The ante-post markets for the Epsom Classics made room for two latecomers on Wednesday as the final British trials were staged at Goodwood barely two weeks before the Derby meeting opens with the Oaks card on 3 June.
In recent seasons, the Height Of Fashion Stakes ? formerly the Lupe ? has been a better guide to Epsom than its colts' counterpart, the Cocked Hat Stakes, and Beatrice Aurore, a comfortable winner of Wednesday's renewal, is now likely to line up for the Oaks, where she could give John Dunlop his first success in the Classic since Salsabil in 1990.
Beatrice Aurore, who is owned by ex-Abba musician Benny Andersson, remains a 20-1 chance for Epsom, but in a year that could see the Queen winning the Derby, Dunlop is keen to give pop royalty a chance to enjoy a Classic success too.
"Her owner is very sporting, he bred this filly and I think he would like to have a go," Dunlop said. "She stays very well and handled a turning track, which you could say was quite similar to Epsom. I'm not sure whether she's good enough to beat top, top fillies like the [1,000] Guineas winner [Blue Bunting] but it might be worth having a go."
Last year's winner of the Height Of Fashion, Snow Fairy, went on to take the Oaks and then three more Group One races around the world over the course of the next six months. The Cocked Hat Stakes has a more modest roll of honour over the last few seasons, though Rewilding, the 2010 winner, went on to finish third in the Derby, and Masked Marvel, who beat Namibian by three lengths, is likely to take his chance at Epsom.
This was a significant improvement by Masked Marvel, who was only fifth behind Genius Beast in the Classic Trial at Sandown last time out.
"The ground was very tacky at Sandown and he didn't really like it, but to be honest, it's been difficult getting him ready and his work came on a bundle for the run," John Gosden, Masked Marvel's trainer, said. "He stays well and I like the way he quickened up. We'll leave him in the Derby and I'll talk to the owner tomorrow."
Masked Marvel is top-priced at 33-1 for the Derby with Paddy Power and Boylesports.
Frankie Dettori performed a flying dismount after winning the very modest nine-furlong handicap on yesterday's card, for the benefit of Gianfranco, his father, who was watching at the paddock rail. He had nothing to celebrate in the Cocked Hat, however, as his partner Badeel, the joint-favourite, dropped out to finish last, and Dettori will need to look elsewhere for his Derby mount.
He may be in the dark for a little while yet, as Godolphin have yet to finalise their plans for Epsom, although the lightly raced Ocean War looks the favourite to be steered by Dettori at this stage.
"We have three possible [Derby] runners in Casamento, Ocean War and Genius Beast," Simon Crisford, Godolphin's racing manager, said .
"Casamento could easily go for the French Derby the following day. That is over a mile and a quarter and that trip should suit him. Ocean War is looking like he's heading towards Epsom. It's a massive step up, but he's improving."
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/may/18/benny-andersson-the-oaks-beatrice-aurore
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