Galileo's Minding Special In Oaks Victory

Minding wins the Oaks | Racing Post

MIND OVER MATTER
Derrick Smith's Minding (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) had the fortunes turn against her when beaten at The Curragh last time and that looked the case for much of Friday's G1 Investec Oaks at Epsom, but the G1 1000 Guineas heroine pulled the race out of the bag to prevail in scintillating style and complete the Classic double. Banged about and holed up after Tattenham Corner, the 10-11 favourite needed all of Ryan Moore's guile and a considerable amount of her inherent class to come from last to first and collar Architecture (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) approaching the furlong pole. Staying on strongly to turn back the persistent challenge of that rival in the run to the line, the bay hit that with a margin of 1 3/4 lengths to spare that tells only a small part of the story, with Harlequeen (GB) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) eight lengths behind in third. “I had a charmed run early on, but then they came on top of me and I had nowhere to go,” her brilliantly instinctive rider explained after threading the winner to glory when she had received a bump and a crack on the head with a rival's whip. “She's a good filly and got me out of trouble. She's much the best and her class got her out of it.” Part-owner Michael Tabor was full of praise and said, “In my eyes she's as good a filly as we've seen in a while and I wonder how she got beat in Ireland.” Adding mischievously, “Maybe we should have run her in the Derby.”

Friday, Epsom, Britain
INVESTEC OAKS-G1, £475,000, EPS, 6-3, 3yo, f, 12f 10yT, 2:42.66, g/s.
1–MINDING (IRE), 126, f, 3, by Galileo (Ire)
1st Dam: Lillie Langtry (Ire) (Hwt. 3yo Filly-Eng at 7-9.5f, G1SW-Eng & Ire, $1,361,940), by Danehill Dancer (Ire)
2nd Dam: Hoity Toity (GB), by Darshaan (GB)
3rd Dam: Hiwaayati (GB), by Shadeed
O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. £269,373. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Ire, 8-5-3-0, $1,588,932. *Full to Kissed by Angels (Ire), GSW-Ire. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Architecture (Ire), 126, f, 3, Zoffany (Ire)–Brigayev (Ity), by Fasliyev. (€4,800 Wlg '13 GOFNOV; £26,000 Ylg '14 DNPRM). O-Chris Humber; B-Massimo Passamonti (IRE); T-Hugo Palmer. £102,125.[bullet ad=”baroda-consigned-by”]3–Harlequeen (GB), 126, f, 3, Canford Cliffs (Ire)–Aurelia (GB), by Rainbow Quest. (32,000gns Ylg '14 TATOCT). O-Mrs S Brandt; B-Richard Moses Bloodstock (GB); T-Mick Channon. £51,110.
Margins: 1 3/4, 8, 14. Odds: 0.90, 12.00, 14.00.
Also Ran: Somehow (Ire), Skiffle (GB), Seventh Heaven (Ire), Turret Rocks (Ire), Australian Queen (GB). DNF: Diamonds Pour Moi (GB).
Since her defeat by Ballydoyle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G2 Debutante S. over seven furlongs at The Curragh in August, Minding has romped ahead of that stablemate who she reversed form with in the G1 Moyglare Stud S. over the same course and distance three weeks later. So impressive in the G1 Fillies Mile at Newmarket in October, her case for favouritism and due deference from her rivals in the 1000 Guineas was obvious and she gave the impression she was merely going through the motions when humbling them all on the first day of May. Three weeks later, quite possible the most exciting of all the fillies to have emerged from Ballydoyle under Aidan O'Brien's reign there was subdued by the bargain-basement filly Jet Setting (Ire) (Fast Company {Ire}) in one of the biggest upsets in recent times in the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas at The Curragh. Those looking to make sense of that outcome were in part relieved to hear that she may have been running under a cloud having smashed her head against the stalls and her starting price for this race was due largely to the uncertainty of her recovery. There were few concerns up until the run downhill to Tattenham Corner, with Ryan Moore sitting easy as Minding cruised in behind the leaders against the rail with stablemate Somehow (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) carving out the pace to suit. It was only after the turn that things turned sour, with Kevin Manning struggling to get Turret Rocks (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) on an even keel ahead of her and that compatriot barged her before Manning's whip struck her across the nose. Shoved out of the back door as a result, the favourite was presented with a vital slice of luck as Turret Rocks veered right and allowed her up the rail and her raw pace saw her shoot through and into daylight. Once she had that luxury, Minding was always going to overwhelm the strong-staying Architecture and despite having already used up so much petrol to get to that rival she had plenty more to give in the run to the line. Aidan O'Brien, who was celebrating a sixth Oaks, was full of praise for the winner and jockey alike. “She has speed, class, stamina and a great mind–she has everything,” he said. “Ryan did brilliantly and real heart and guts had to come into it today. Like all Galileos, when you dig they usually give it. What happened to her in the Irish Guineas meant this was a big ask and I wasn't sure she was going to make it here two weeks ago. She went into empty at the two-furlong marker and Ryan had to call on her then, but she was courageous. She puts her heart into it. I'd imagine she'll have a couple of easy weeks now and the lads will decide what to do. She is very good, this filly.” Architecture's trainer Hugo Palmer was understandably delighted with the runner-up's effort although he was disappointed to lose out. “The winner is an unbelievably high-class filly and you have to mark up her performance, as she looked beaten for all money,” he commented. “Architecture has run an enormous race and it is frustrating that she is still only a maiden winner. We thought there would be no pace and the plan was to be prominent, so you can now see why Frankie is so good around here. She is so light and nimble and good at these turns and is a very exciting prospect. The [G2] Ribblesdale [S. at Royal Ascot June 16] may come too soon, so maybe the [G1] Irish Oaks [at The Curragh July 16] could be the plan, but we'll see. It was extraordinary to get so close and yet be so far from winning, but I thought she could be competitive on this big stage and she proved me right.” Mick Channon was delighted to have secured a placing with the race's “dark horse” Harlequeen and said, “She's improved as we thought she would. I don't know where we'll go, but we'll run her where I think she can win. I'll probably rule out Ascot, but I'm not saying that's completely out and we'll certainly look at the Irish Oaks. There's definitely improvement in ours.” There was a downside to this renewal, with Pearl Bloodstock's Diamonds Pour Moi (GB) (Pour Moi {Ire}) pulled up when last with over two furlongs remaining. Connections were cautiously optimistic about her prospects yesterday afternoon. Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.

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