Whelan adds (Ulster) Oaks to Derby success Derby-winning jockey Ronan Whelan oozed confidence on Chica Guerrera as the Mark Fahey-trained filly ran out an easy winner of the Boyle Sports Irish EBF Ulster Oaks at Down Royal. The daughter of Saxon Warrior made eye-catching progress running down the hill in the ten furlong contest before sweeping into the lead passing the furlong pole. Whelan asked the 4/1 shot to settle matters and the race was soon in safe keeping as she went on to record a six-and-a-half length success, easing down late on. It was a third career victory for Chica Guerrera, who had been third on her last outing at Gowran off this mark of 79. Fahey said: "It is great to see her rewarded. She has been running well in good pots and good handicaps as well. "She was always going to do that, win a decent pot and it is great we got it today. "The lads (Trouble & Strife Syndicate) came up from Kilkenny. It is great for them and she is a good filly. They enjoy her and knock good craic out of her. "Ronan was excellent on her, and he is after twinning the Derby and the Oaks! "We'll see where we go after that, there's plenty of those fillies' handicaps as well too. We will try and keep her to them if we can, see what the handicapper does. "She did win well, but she loves that ground. She has won in Gowran Park on soft ground, and she has won on a cut in the ground in Tramore as well. "When everything falls right for her, she can be good. She was third in a premier handicap and was placed a good few times, and she is a good, sound filly." (Quotes by Michael Graham)
