Favoured Lah Ti Dar (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) has been ruled out of next Friday's G1 Investec Oaks by trainer John Gosden after returning an unsatisfactory blood picture. The unbeaten 'TDN Rising Star' won by six lengths on debut at Newbury on Apr. 20 and took the Listed Pretty Polly S. at Newmarket on May 6 by 3 1/4 lengths.
The news continues a streak of bad luck with the Oaks for owner/breeders Lord and Lady Lloyd-Webber; Lah Ti Dar's full-sister So Mi Dar (GB) last year won the Musidora S. by four lengths but was forced to miss Epsom due to injury, and The Fugue (GB) (Dansili {GB}) started favourite in 2012 but suffered a bad trip and was third. Lah Ti Dar's dam, Dar Re Mi (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}), did not start in the Oaks but went on to win three Group 1s.
“It was a routine blood sample, but it was not to our satisfaction,” Gosden said. “Therefore she will not be able to work this weekend in preparation for the Oaks, so in view of that she will not be running at Epsom.”
“I'll have to let that come right and hopefully it will be the [G2] Ribblesdale at [Royal] Ascot now. It's incredible bad luck for the owners, it being the Oaks again. The mother [Dar Re Mi], her sister [So Mi Dar] and now another one, but that is the way it goes. They are fantastic owner-breeders and fully understand the need to do what is right for the filly.”
Godolphin's G1 Prix Marcel Boussac winner Wild Illusion (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) now assumes favouritism with most bookmakers, followed by Ballydoyle's G2 Debutante S. winner Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a full-sister to recent G1 Lockinge S. winner Rhododendron, who was second as the favourite behind Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) in last year's Oaks.
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