Stoute Oaks Decision On Hold

Sir Michael Stoute is unlikely to make a decision on his Vodafone Oaks team until next week after Short Skirt propelled herself to the head of the market with success at York.

The Diktat filly saw off hot favourite Alexandrova to land the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes under Michael Kinane and add to Stoute's already strong Epsom team.

It is now nine years since the winner of the Musidora went on to take the Vodafone Oaks at Epsom but Short Skirt's price to do just that was slashed as low as 7-2 after scoring by a length and a quarter.

However, connections were keen to stress after the Group Three event that the filly appreciated the cut in the ground and would want conditions to be similarly on the slow side if she is to line up on June 2.

'Mick said he couldn't get going when he wanted to,' Stoute said.

'When he got out she did pick up well though and she showed a nice turn of foot.

'It was only her third race and her second start was a bit of a non-event so she is learning all the time.

'I'm not sure about the Oaks for her though. I'll have to have a chat to John Greetham who owns her and also bred her.

'It's great for him, he has done very well with a small brood mare band.

'We would have reservations about Epsom. She loves this ground and won her maiden on it last August and all the family love it with a bit of cut in the ground so we will have to have a good think about it.

'I couldn't commit (to Epsom) at this stage.'

Stoute also has Riyalma and Scottish Stage prominent in the betting for the Oaks and said that plans would become more concrete 'by the start of next week'.

Kinane was similarly uncertain about plans.

'Kieren got first run on my filly,' said the rider.

'I was in a nice position but got trapped in a little but after going a nice pace on slowish ground, I always thought I'd get there.

'I thought she did it pretty nicely. I'm not sure if this filly is an Epsom filly though. I'm sure Michael will decide on the ground conditions nearer the time on whether she will run in the Oaks or not.'

Fallon believed Alexandrova got tired on her first start of the season.

'She'd have needed it,' he said.

'She went there and got tired, hopefully that will have put her right.'

The rider said an incident at the start where his mount stumbled after being hampered by the Jamie Spencer-ridden High Heel Sneakers had not affected the result.

But the stewards still handed Spencer a two-day ban (May 28 and 29) for the offence, adjudging him guilty of careless riding.

Bookmakers were left divided in their opinions over which of Short Skirt and Alexandrova to keep as favourite in their betting.

Skybet were the least impressed of the lot and offer 11-2 about the Musidora winner and 6-1 for the runner-up.

(C) PA Sport