Minding recovers to clinch Oaks success

PERHAPS she should have won in the Epsom Derby. Judging by the filly's success in the Epsom Oaks, Minding might have been good enough to beat the colts in today's signature contest.
By The Newsroom
Published 4th Jun 2016, 06:22 BST
Minding ridden by Ryan Moore on the way to winning The Investec Oaks.Minding ridden by Ryan Moore on the way to winning The Investec Oaks.
Minding ridden by Ryan Moore on the way to winning The Investec Oaks.

The winner of Newmarket’s 1000 Guineas, Ryan Moore’s mount found trouble on the home bend before picking up quite brilliantly to win a second Classic of 2016.

A potential horse of the year, the win came less than a fortnight after Minding’s shock reverse in the Irish Guineas – a setback which prompted owners Coolmore to rule out a Derby tilt.

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“I had a charmed run. Her class got her out of trouble,” said Moore.

A sixth win in the Oaks for O’Brien, the Ballydoyle trainer said: “She has speed, class, stamina, a great mind – everything.”

Part-owner Michael Tabor said: “I didn’t actually see the trouble, but the way she won was spectacular. She’s something else – maybe we should have run her in the Derby!

“Her turn of foot was incredible. She’s as good a filly we’ve seen for a long time, but I might be biased. I just wonder how she got beat in Ireland.”

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Meanwhile, former champion apprentice Oisin Murphy was at his best to win the Investec Mile on Examiner for trainer Stuart Williams.

He rides Simple Verse, last year’s St Leger heroine, in today’s Coronation Cup before flying to France to ride Imperial Aviator in tomorrow’s French Derby.

“I was a bit further back than I wanted to be, but they went a solid pace and he just got there at the finish – he was brave,” said Murphy after Examiner’s win.

“Once I got out and got a bit of light he was great. He’s going to have to go up a bit to get in the bigger handicaps, but there are lots of decent races for him – he could defy a hefty rise in time.”