Riposte & Venus supplemented for the Oaks Riposte and Venus De Milo have been supplemented for the Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh on Saturday evening. Trained respectively by Lady Cecil and Aidan O'Brien, connections of the two fillies have stumped up the €40,000 required to allow them to contest the Irish Classic. The Khalid Abdullah-owned Riposte was a striking winner of the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot on her last start, while the unbeaten Venus De Milo claimed an Oaks trial at Naas towards the end of June. Thirteen fillies have stood firm at the final entry stage, with Ralph Beckett having confirmed Investec Oaks one-two Talent and Secret Gesture. Talent sprang a major surprise when slamming her better-fancied stable companion in Epsom's mile-and-a-half Classic at the end of May. An attempt to complete the English-Irish Oaks double has been on her agenda ever since. Beckett said Secret Gesture was, however, not yet a definite runner, with races like the Nassau Stakes at Glorious Goodwood and the German Oaks mooted as alternatives. He said: "Both fillies have been left in the race. Talent will definitely run, but we won't make a decision on whether Secret Gesture will run until declaration time. "Both horses are fine and in good form." Richard Hughes partnered Talent to Oaks glory, but will be replaced by stable jockey Jim Crowley. Crowley rode Secret Gesture at Epsom, but if she does head to Ireland, she will be ridden by owners Qatar Racing's retained rider Jamie Spencer. Beckett said: "Jim Crowley will ride Talent and Jamie Spencer will ride Secret Gesture, if she runs."
