Shirocco out to star in Oaks
Thursday 23 August 2012
Shirocco Star spearheads a strong assault from Hughie Morrison on Thursday's Darley Yorkshire Oaks.
The East Ilsley handler saddles the daughter of Shirocco, as well as Coquet, and they were second and sixth respectively behind the reopposing Was in the Epsom equivalent. Shirocco Star has since finished third behind Princess Highway in the Ribblesdale and second to Great Heavens in the Irish Oaks.
"She's been unbelievable. Second in two Classics and very close, especially in our own Oaks. She's done better than we dare hope but we always thought she was pretty good. I definitely think she's got it in her to win a big race. Whether it is something as strong as the Yorkshire Oaks, time will tell," said Morrison.
"Probably her best surface is good ground. She's got plenty of speed and she settles very well. She's had a hard year. One time this year she is going to go over the top. Hopefully it won't be at York on Thursday."
Alain de Royer-Dupre believes Shareta will be suited by the long York straight when she bids to register her first Group One victory. The four-year-old has performed creditably without success at the top level, most notably in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe when she was second to Danedream.
"She looks well which is why we decided to go to York. She does not have a great turn of foot. She is a stayer as she showed when she was second in the Arc," said Royer-Dupre.
"She ran a strong race that day and we hope she will race like that. I think it is interesting to try her at York. She prefers good ground to soft. Good ground would be OK for the filly."
Wild Coco made a triumphant return after almost 12 months off the track when scoring at Glorious Good in great style from Shareta's stable companion Jehannedarc.
Her trainer Sir Henry Cecil said: "The Yorkshire Oaks is a very hot race but she will have come on for her win at Goodwood and deserves to take her chance. She will run except if the ground is too firm for her."
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