Vodafone Oaks at Epsom Betting Preview

Looking ahead to the Vodafone Oaks at Epsom on Friday 2nd June, it's hard to build up a strong statistical profile which might lead us to the winner of this year's contest. Seven of the last eighteen winner of the Oaks had ran in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket a month earlier, while four winners in the same period ran in the Fillies' Mile as a two-year-old. Interestingly, nine winners since 1988 were either unraced as a juvenile, or didn't run in a Group race during their first season, which is by far the most compelling stat. Obviously, in terms of trainers, Henry Cecil and Saeed bin Suroor have been the most dominant in this race in recent years, although neither have an obvious contender at this stage. Cecil has entered an unraced Sadler's Wells filly, Novellara, who is a half-sister to Reams Of Verse, whom Cecil trained to win the 1997 Oaks. She has an impeccable pedigree but, at the time of writing, it's approaching mid May and she still hasn't had an outing, so it'd take a leap of faith to invest some of your hard-earned in the Khalid Abdulla-owned filly. Godolphin, meanwhile, have plenty of entries in the race. Pure Illusion and Royal Proposal, bought out of the John Gosden and Luca Cumani stables respectively, are both interesting prospects and merit consideration, while Silca's Sister ran an eyecatching race when fourth in the 1000 Guineas, and it'll be interesting to see if connections step her up in trip for a crack at this race. If they do, and she stays, she'll be bang there at the finish, that's for sure. But stamina has to be a major concern for her, as her pedigree has speed written all over it. As such, I envisage her sticking to a mile and going for the Irish 1000 Guineas and/or the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. Sir Michael Stoute hasn't had much luck in this race, but I reckon he holds the key this year. Riyalma was impressive when beating a small but select field in the ten-furlong Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket, a race Ouija Board won en route to Oaks glory in 2004. While the step up to the Oaks trip should bring about improvement in her, I just wander whether she will be as effective on faster going, which she is likely to encounter at Epsom, as she appeared suited by the cut in the ground on the Rowley Mile, and her pedigree (she is by Selkirk) and her action suggests that she will need a bit of give underfoot to be at her best. This remark also applies to the promising Scottish Stage, who is also trained by Stoute. However, it's another Stoute-trained filly - Sindirana - that appeals most, and she is well worth an interest at 20/1 with Betfred. The word from Newmarket as that she is better than Riyalma, whom she would have squared up against in the Pretty Polly had the ground not deteriorated as it did. But she may have the chance to stretch her legs in the Lingfield Oaks Trial on Saturday May 13. Speaking of impeccable pedigrees, Sindirana scores highly. She is by the brilliant Kalanisi, with whom Stoute enjoyed many triumphs, and her dam is a half-sister to dual Derby and Arc winner, Sinndar. Sure, it wasn't a particularly great maiden which she won on her debut at Leicester last year, but the manner of her victory hinted at better to come, and she is best forgiven her subsequent defeat at Newmarket last October because the ground was very soft. When she steps up to a mile and a half and tackles fast ground, she is likely to improve no end, and in a year lacking an outstanding middle-distance filly, she could well be the one to give her owner the Aga Khan his first winner in this since his filly Aliysa was controversially disqualified after winning the 1989 renewal. Confidential Lady and Nasheej will have their supporters after finishing second and third respectively in the 1000 Guineas, but neither appear to be Oaks types in my opinion, as a mile and a quarter will probably be extent of their stamina. Alexandrova ran a cracking race when short-headed by Nannina in the Fillies' Mile last year, but that form has taken plenty of knocks since and whether she deserves to be as short as 4/1 favourite for this race is debatable. Nannina, meanwhile, doesn't shape as though she'll stay a mile and a half, a comment which extends to Guineas winner Speciosa. Recommended bet: 0.50 pts e/w Sindirana @ 20/1 (vcbet)