Dunlop to take a chance on Beatrice Aurore for Oaks
Published:Beatrice Aurore will hope to follow in the footsteps of Snow Fairy and use a victory at Goodwood as a springboard towards winning the Epsom Oaks next month.
Snow Fairy won the Oaks 12 months ago and tasted success on her final start before Epsom in the Height of Fashion Stakes at Goodwood.
This race was won this year by Beatrice Aurore and trainer John Dunlop has indicated that he may allow the horse to take her chance at the Group One, although she still has plenty of improvement to find to compete with those at the head of the Oaks betting.
Dunlop said: “She stays very well and handled a turning track, which you could say was quite similar to Epsom.
“I’m not sure whether she’s good enough to beat top, top fillies like the 1000 Guineas winner Blue Bunting but it might be worth having a go.”
Beatrice Aurore is owned by ABBA member Benny Andersson and is 16/1 in the ante-post Oaks odds, despite never having previously competed in Group company.
A victory for Dunlop would also represent a third career Oaks success, after triumphs in 1984 and 1990 with Circus Plume and Salsabil.
The Goodwood meeting proved largely successful for Dunlop as he also watched Masked Marvel cause an upset and win the IBA Cocked Hat Stakes, which is seen as a trial for the Derby.
Rewilding won the race last year and went on to finish third in the Derby behind Workforce and connections will be ecstatic if Masked Marvel can follow suit.
Masked Marvel has shortened to 25/1 in the Derby odds and this could represent a little bit of each-way value.
A £30 stake on Beatrice Aurore winning the Epsom Oaks would return £480. New customers can sign up here for a free £30 bet.
