Italian Oaks Goes to Germany's Meridiana

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Germany's Meridiana upset Godolphin's Lady Catherine by 1 1/4 length Sunday in the Italian Oaks (Italy-I) over 1 3/8 mile at San Siro in Milan Sunday.

Lady Catherine, an Italian Group III winner last season, led all the way into the straight when jockey Jamie Spencer quickened the tempo and pulled away from the rest of the field with a two-length lead.

However, Hans Blume's Meridiana moved into second and continued to pursue Lady Catherine as she began to hang. The Lomitas filly went by the leader 100 yards from the wire under Andreas Suborics.

Vale Mantovani, the Italian 1000 Guineas runner-up, was an even-running third, a half-length away. Aubonne, also German-trained, was fourth in the field of 14.

Golden Nepi, the impressive Italian 1000 Guineas winner, was fifth. Dermot Weld's Miss Nashwan faded from prominence to finish ninth.

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