Edited from an Epsom Downs releaseThe Maktoum family's Godolphin stable, successful in last year's Classic with the brilliant Kazzia, account for 11 of the 84 entries revealed today for the 2003 Vodafone Oaks, run at Epsom Downs on Friday, June 6.
These are headed by Echoes In Eternity, who despite running green easily won her only start as a juvenile in a Newmarket maiden in September when denying Discreet Brief by three and a half lengths for former trainer John Gosden.
Hi Dubai is another notable Godolphin possible. This sister to Fantastic Light--who has also been entered in the Vodafone Derby--also only raced once in 2002, and looked to have been unlucky when second in a Newmarket maiden in August.
Godolphin, also successful in the Vodafone Oaks with Balanchine in 1994 and Moonshell the following season, are further represented by Gonfilia, Khalkissa, Lady Catherine, Loving Kindness, recent UAE Guineas winner Mezzo Soprano, Russian Society, Sulaalah, Tarbiyah and Tygry.
Sir Michael Stoute, successful with Fair Salinia in 1978 and Unite nine years later, has 10 entries including the 1982 winner Time Charter's last foal, Time Honoured, who got off the mark when beating Russian Society in a Leicester maiden on September 10.
Another of Stoute's entries, Flash Of Gold, could bid to give the Queen a second Oaks victory, 26 years after Dunfermline landed the 1977 running. Flash Of Gold finished seventh on her only start in a Newmarket maiden last year when running green. Stoute's other entries are Halawanda, Huja, Mananiyya, Olympienne, Rainbow City, Rainbow Queen, Spanish Sun and Waldmark.
Champion Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien provides half of the 16 Irish-trained entries. His octet includes Yesterday, a sister to last year's runner-up Quarter Moon who improved for the step up in trip to nine furlongs on her last start when successful in the Listed Eyrefield Stakes at Leopardstown in November. O'Brien has also entered the formerly Roger Charlton-trained L'Ancresse, who was bought by owners Michael Tabor and Sue Magnier after winning a Newbury conditions event on her debut. The Darshaan filly went on to be a good fifth in the Group 2 Owen Brown Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket.
O'Brien, who was victorious in the Vodafone Oaks with Shahtoush in 1998 and Imagine two seasons ago, could also be represented by Arpege, In The Limelight, Miss Helga, Pearl Moon, Shangri La and She's A Beauty.
Other notable entries include the John Oxx-trained Elasouna, who won her only race last year, the James Fanshawe-trained Soviet Song, unbeaten in three starts as a two-year-old including the group I Meon Valley Stud Fillies' Mile at Ascot on September 28, when beating Casual Look by one and a half lengths, and Geminiani, who is also undefeated with her second victory coming in the Group Three Touchdown In Malaysia Prestige Stakes at Goodwood on August 25.
Stephen Wallis, Managing Director of Epsom Downs Racecourse, said: "We saw an outstanding winner of the Vodafone Oaks last year in Kazzia and the 200race, part of a vibrant two days at Epsom Downs, looks sure to develop into a fascinating event in the coming weeks when a whole host of both proven and less-exposed fillies are put to the test."
Group One, Class A, Showcase Race, Epsom Downs, Friday, June 6, 2003 one mile four furlongs about ten yards, total prize fund £375,000, for three-year-old fillies only. Weights: 9st. Entries closed Wednesday, March 5, 2003 (84 entries). Forfeit stage Thursday, May 22, 2003 £20,000 supplementary entry stage Friday, May 31, 2003. Five-day confirmation stage Saturday, May 31, 2003. 48-hour declaraton stage 10.00am Wednesday, June 4, 2003.
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here for the complete list of nominees for the Vodafone Oaks.
