Classic heroines in Nassau field The winners of both the Vodafone Oaks and Irish Oaks - Imagine and Lailani - headed 26 entries unveiled today for the Stg£135,000 Group One Vodafone Nassau Stakes over a mile and a quarter at Goodwood on August 4th. Imagine, who also landed the Irish 1000 Guineas, is one of seven entries made by Ireland`s champion trainer Aidan O`Brien. The master of Ballydoyle could also be represented by French 1000 Guineas victor Rose Gypsy, Toroca, who finished third in both the English and Irish 1000 Guineas, as well as Karsavina and Sequoyah, third and fourth respectively in the Irish Oaks. Love Me True and Snowflake are O`Brien`s other two entries. The Nassau Stakes is where the top three-year-old fillies take on older opposition but the classic generation have the best recent record, having won the last eight renewals. Ed Dunlop has two other entries in addition to Lailani - Mot Juste, beaten a head by her stable companion in the Irish Classic at the Curragh on Sunday, and the four-year-old Cayman Sunset. Trainer Sir Michael Stoute has won the Nassau four times and has two entries, All Grain and Dear Daughter. The Michael Jarvis-trained Ela Athena chased home Crimplene in this contest last season and she could bid to go one better. Jarvis has also entered Tarfshi. John Gosden, who won the race with Ryafan in 1997 could be represented by Crystal Music and Encore du Cristal. Crystal Music, winner of last season`s Group One Fillies` Mile, was runner-up to Banks Hill in the Group One Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot last month. Jim Bolger was the last Irish trainer to win the Nassau, with Park Express in 1986, and this year he has entered Siringas, unbeaten in her two starts. The sole French entry is Valerie Dissaux`s four-year-old Acceleration, fourth in the Group One Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.
