Horse & Jockey Hotel Oaks – Quarters Preview

A run-down of the Horse & Jockey Hotel Oaks quarters…

First Quarter
To me this looks the most competitive quarter in the Oaks. Cases can be made for a number of runners here.

What we have seen from Space Trend in her only outing so far has been very impressive and form from the stake has stood up so that throws her right up near the top of the pile. She could well meet Please Marry Me in the second round which could be a buckle.

Mad Decision has come in for plenty of support since her win in Edenderry, she is the worst loser in our ante-post book. She has the draw to win a few rounds before she meets one of the more fancied runners.

Elegant Dame is one we have kept onside all year. Her owner and trainer combination makes us very uneasy about her. We have yet to see any money of significance but we are waiting! She looks to have a nice passage until she gets to the third round.

Selection: Space Trend
Danger: Elegant Dame

Second Quarter
Corn Na Feile winner Graigues Legacy is nestled nicely at the bottom of this quarter. On all known form she gets to the last morning with very little worry.

Her main danger in that bottom half will be Antonia who was impressive when winning in Clonakilty.

The top of the draw here looks a lot harder to call. Share The Dream has only been seen once this season in Limerick City but really left her mark there. She came in for a nice bit of support for her trial stake win which is always a good marker as she comes from the shrewd kennels of Con Guiney. Con doesn’t give away money too easy!

Loyal Labamba gained a nice little fan base after her display in Templetouhy; she showed all the signs that she will love the surroundings in Powerstown Park. Any little improvement at all from her and she can put in a few rounds.

I’m just going to side with Graigues for the win in this section based on the draw.

Selection: Graigues Legacy
Danger: Share The Dream

Third Quarter

Silent Wonder sticks out like a sore thumb in this section.

I thought when we went 4/1 about her that the money would dry up but that didn’t happen! I wouldn’t be surprised if she goes off 3/1.

The two bitches above her in the draw are no slouches; Howamissus and Barefoot Magic, but it’s hard to see them troubling her in round two.

Hows Mrs Foley looks the pick of the bottom four. She was running on strong at the top of the field in Abbeyfeale which will help her in Clonmel. Blades Of Honor and Myleene look the pick of the ones at the top.

Blades Of Honour wasn’t beaten too far in the semi-final of the Corn Na Feile by Graigues Legacy which puts her right up there. A potential clash with Myleene in round three would be a cracker.

Myleene is one of two runners in the Oaks for Brendan Matthews; can he win his first Oaks? Yes she has had plenty of outings all season but she has shown plenty of ability. Her clocks in Tubbercurry were very good so she has to be respected.

Selection: Silent Wonder
Danger: Myleene

Fourth Quarter
With Frankies Call a definite non-runner it opens up this quarter. A case can be made for a number of runners at the top of this section.

Nothing Fancy, Southofhere and Please Babe can fight it out at the top of this quarter. Please Babe is an interesting one. She won her trial stake in Cashel where she then appeared in the All Age Bitch Stake in Nenagh and ran quite well reaching the semi-final. I thought she looked the winner after two rounds; the extra few yards in Clonmel will really stand to her.

Southofhere ran well on a few occasions before finally getting her ticket and she will also appreciate the extra distance. Nothing Fancy has come in for plenty of support since her win in Charleville. The field produced last year’s Oaks winner so that line of form can’t be over looked.

Alonso Blonde looks drawn to win the opening few rounds at least down at the very bottom. She meets a decent lady in the shape of Flagfield Alonso in the opening buckle and if getting over this she can make it to the last morning.

Selection: Please Babe
Danger: Alonso Blonde

Overall, I cannot see past Silent Wonder. The vibes from connections even before she ran was that this lady is special and from what we have seen of her, it’s hard to disagree with that! Space Trend can be her biggest danger.

*Prices correct at time of publication