Sport

Sir Michael Stoute's Phillipina ready to take Oaks chance

Simon Milham
13 April 2012

Phillipina will line up in the Investec Oaks despite concerns about her ability to handle the big occasion at Epsom.

Trained by Sir Michael Stoute and owned by David and Patricia Thompson's Cheveley Park Stud, the daughter of Medicean has been backed down to 8-1 fourth favourite in recent days for the Group 1 fillies' Classic.

Phillipina has yet to win a race in three starts and will attempt to become the first maiden to land the Oaks since Sun Princess in 1983.

Stepped up in trip to 11 furlongs, she showed a marked improvement on her previous outings when short-headed by Perfect Truth in the Cheshire Oaks last month. But the Stud's managing director, Chris Richardson, is concerned that inexperience might get the better of her.

He said: "Phillipina will certainly improve for that run and Sir Michael Stoute has been very pleased with her work since then.

"We know we are throwing her in at the deep end but there is only one Oaks and Mr and Mrs Thompson have gone close a number of times, so they are happy to take the chance.

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"My only concern is whether she will be able to cope with it mentally. I have no worries about her ability - it is just that this race might come a bit quick for her."

Richardson added: "The logical race for her would be the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot, but that looks a hot race. We came to the conclusion that she is entitled to take her chance on Friday but, while we love having runners at Royal Ascot, she won't be in both races. This looks as open an Oaks as we have seen in a while."

Phillipina, who will be ridden by Ryan Moore, is set to take on 11 rivals who include Richard Hannon's The Miniver Rose.

Currently a 33-1 chance with Ladbrokes, Hannon expects the step up in distance to suit his filly, who was second to Apple Charlotte in the 10-furlong Swettenham Stud Fillies' Trial at Newbury last time.

"She'll get the mile and a half trip, no problem," said the trainer. "Whether she'll be good enough, we'll have to see."

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