Fenton Relishing Speciosa Challenge

Speciosa’s jockey Micky Fenton would not swap his ride “for anything else” in the Vodafone Oaks at Epsom tomorrow as she goes in search of a fairytale Classic double

The Pam Sly-trained filly was a hugely popular winner of the Stan James 1000 Guineas at Newmarket and was supplemented for this race at a cost of #20,000 last weekend.

Fenton is adamant the decision not to send Speciosa to the Curragh for the Irish Guineas was the right one.

“We’re the one they’ve all got to beat, I wouldn’t swap her for anything else in the race,” he said.

“I went to sit on her on Saturday and she has strengthened up again. She is giving me an even better feel than she did before the Guineas.

“I’ve been watching old videos of the race from the past few years just to get an idea of where to be when the gates open. It’s such a unique track, especially for three-year-old fillies, that every little thing will help.

“She certainly wasn’t stopping in the Guineas and in hindsight we have made the right decision not sending her to the Curragh to race on that ground.

“Hopefully the sun will come out over the next few days so she can race on some decent ground, because that is what she needs really.

“We’re all glad the decision was made to supplement her because looking at the declarations if she wasn’t in the race we would have been gutted.”

Also added to the Oaks line-up was Rising Cross, who will be Maidstone trainer John Best’s first runner in a British Classic.

The Cape Cross filly booked her place in the field at Epsom after dead-heating with Soft Centre in the Lupe Stakes at Goodwood earlier this month.

She is a general 50-1 outsider for the Oaks, a price which Best believes is too big and does not represent her chances.

“There have been no problems with her preparation,” he said. “I’ve had absolutely no hold-ups at all with her. She’s been fine since the Lupe and she’s going there as good as I can ever hope.

“She’s got a good draw in three.

“You would think she’ll definitely handle the track. She’s handled Goodwood twice. Her best two runs have been at Goodwood and although it’s going the other way to Epsom, it’s the same sort of track.

“The ground should be fine for her.

“The only question mark with regards to her would be whether she’ll definitely see out the mile and a half. I think she will.

“When she ran in the Lupe the other day she maybe hit the front a little bit too early because George (Baker) said she was just idling in front and that’s why the other one got to her.

“So I don’t see any reason why she won’t see the mile and a half out.

“I don’t normally bet but I’ve backed her at 100-1. I think 50-1 is big but 100-1 is mad.”

But ante-post punters were hit with a hammer blow when Galatee was ruled out after returning “an elevated white cell blood count”, with her absence reducing the field to nine.

Another to have been supplemented, the daughter of Galileo had won all her three starts in good style and was particularly impressive in the Group Three Blue Wind Stakes at Naas last time when she easily disposed of a decent field.

Over the last few days she had been the subject of sustained support and was vying for favouritism in Coral’s list with Alexandrova at 100-30.

As a result of her missing the race Coral have revised their market, with Aidan O’Brien’s Alexandrova the 5-2 clear favourite followed by Sir Michael Stoute’s duo, Short Skirt and Riyalma, on 3-1 and 4-1 respectively, with Speciosa next on 5-1.

“Unfortunately for Galatee’s connections and backers, her Classic story has ended almost as quickly as it began,” said Coral’s David Stevens.

Disappointed trainer Jim Bolger said: “Unfortunately Galatee will not be travelling to England as she has an elevated white cell blood count.

“She won’t be doing anything for a week and then we’ll have a look at the Ribblesdale.”

? PA Sport