HIGH HEELED is the sponsors favourite for Saturday’s bet365 Lancashire Oaks at Haydock Park, but connections are hoping the ground isn’t too firm for their filly.
The Barry Hills-trained filly was third to Sariska and Midday in the Investec Oaks at Epsom earlier this month. But with both those two not among the 15 entries for Haydock’s Group Two feature of Saturday’s seven-race card, High Heeled is a 9-4 chance with bet365.
Among the opposition is the Henry Ceci-trained Ribblesdale Stakes runner-up Flame Of Gibraltar and Jim Bolger’s Lush Lashes, who was fourth to Dar Re Mi in Saturday’s Audi Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh, and they come next at 4-1 and 5-1 respectively in the betting with the sponsors.
The Lancashire Oaks would appear the ideal race for High Heeled to land a Group race success, having run well in defeat last time at Epsom and Hills’s son Michael is down to partner the High Chaparral filly. But connections will wait to see the start of the going before taking any decision over her participation.
Charlie Hills, another of Barry Hills’s sons and his assistant, said: “The Lancashire Oaks has been the target for High Heeled since she ran at Epsom but we don’t want to run on anything that is too firm.
“We would prefer a bit of rain.”
Other entered in the Lancashire Oaks are Clowance, who has not run since finishing fourth to Look Here in last year’s Oaks at Epsom, and Willie Muir’s Saphira’s Fire and the Clive Cox-trained Miracle.
The going at Haydock is currently good to firm ahead of their three-day meeting which starts on Thursday.
The weather is set to be hot for most of the week, although there is a chance thunderstorms which may ease the going slightly if they were heavy.
As well as the Lancashire Oaks, Saturday’s card features the typically competitive bet365 Old Newton Cup. There are currently 35 entries including the Mark Johsnton-trained Royal Ascot winner Drill Sergeant, who is currently the sponsors 8-1 joint favourite. Stable-mate Yes Mr President, Andrew Balding’s Hatton Flight and the Walter Swinburn-trained Hevelius, are also sharing favouritism at present.
Luca Cumani, who has won the Old Newton Cup three times in the last five years including last year’s winner Mad Rush, has Falcativ – a 12-1 chance – has his entry this time.
HAYDOCK DETAILS: Haydock’s three-day meeting is this Thursday through to Saturday which includes the WaterAid Ladies’ Evening on Friday and Saturday’s card features the bet365 Lancashire Oaks and bet365 Old Newton Cup.
Admission is: Newton Enclosure Thursday £8; Friday £10; Saturday £11; Tattersalls (£15, £18, £20); County Enclosure (£23, £28, £34); and Premier Enclosure (£34, £43, £45).
Accompanied children under 16 enter free. Senior citizens and students, with appropriate identification, enter Tattersalls at half price. More details about racing at Haydock Park are available on web site www.haydock-park.co.uk.
TODAY’S NAP: Stateside (3.45pm Hamilton).
