William Haggas anticipates big run from star filly Sea Of Class in Irish Oaks cracker
The Newmarket trainer will step his exciting filly up in both trip and grade for the Group 1 contest on Saturday
WILLIAM HAGGAS, who claimed Group 1 honours at the Curragh in the Pretty Polly Stakes just two weeks ago, is hoping Sea Of Class can prove a class above in the Irish Oaks.
The progressive filly will face a stern test from the likes of Magic Wand and Forever Together in the fillies' Classic.
She may be bred to be good, but on Saturday we'll learn whether the hype surrounding Sea Of Class is justified when she takes on the top middle-distance fillies in the Irish Oaks.
William Haggas has gradually brought his three-year-old to the boil and she put up her best performance so far last time out when winning a Listed race in emphatic style.
However, now she faces her acid test as she steps up to a mile-and-a-half and takes on rivals with genuine Group 1 form.
Her trainer reports his Classic contender to have sparkled in her work in the lead up to the Blue Riband event.
He said: “We will go up to a mile and a half and have a go at a Classic.
“She is bred to stay and we are looking forward to the challenge. She has done some nice work and is well.”
The bookies clearly feel Sea Of Class is up to it. Ladbrokes’ Nicola McGeady said: “She has been very impressive so far and is 7-2 with us. She would be our worst result in the race.”
Magic Wand, the easy winner of the Ribblesdale, is 5-2 favourite to give Aidan O’Brien a sixth Irish Oaks.
Also prominent in the market are Prix de Diane winner Laurens, Epsom Oaks winner Forever Together and Godolphin contender Wild Illusion.