Arc beckons for super Sar
Michael Bell admitted he would relish the chance to take on all-comers in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe after Sariska’s sweeping success at the Curragh yesterday.
The narrow winner of the Epsom Oaks turned in a far more impressive performance in the Darley-sponsored Irish equivalent as she came three lengths clear of Roses For The Lady without Jamie Spencer needing to move a muscle.
William Hill now offer only 12-1 for the French autumn showpiece, and Boylesports just 10s.
“She was just far superior to them and she has to be very exciting to win a race like that without coming out of second gear,” said Spencer of the even-money favourite.
“Fran Berry (on Roses For The Lady) is a good friend of mine and I gave him a little wave as I went past.”
Bell reported: “Coming into the race, I hate to say it but I really thought she would win. That was very, very impressive.
“I think now we will go for the Yorkshire Oaks (August 20) and then sit down and have a serious think about her autumn campaign.
“Obviously she would have to be supplemented for the Arc but you want to take on the best.
“There is the Prix de l’Opera but that might not be the right race now.
“She is such a good filly it would be a shame not to have a dart at the Arc.”
Midday, a close second at Epsom, was beaten more than seven lengths in third here.
Henry Cecil tried not to offer too many excuses for Midday (9-2), but reflected: “With the ground she wasn’t able to quicken but I feared the winner would improve and she won very easily.”
Wayne Lordan made it three in a row in the Jebel Ali Stables & Racecourse Anglesey Stakes aboard the Tommy Stack-trained Walk On Bye.
The jockey’s previous successes came on subsequent Prix Morny winners Myboycharlie and Bushranger and Walk On Bye (7-4 favourite) could be in the same class after she sprinted clear of the colts.
Stack’s son and assistant, Fozzy, said: “Her main target is the (Goffs) Million Sprinters race and she’ll have one more run in between.
“The Phoenix Stakes may come too soon but she’s in the Lowther and there is the Prix Morny too.”
The Whitney Moore EBF Maiden, where Teofilo, New Approach and Sea The Stars started off, went to Aidan O’Brien’s Black Quartz (even-money favourite).
Only the mount of Johnny Murtagh when Fighting Brave was withdrawn, he was a bit strong for the promising Reiteration.
O’Brien said: “He’s very babyish – he improved a lot between his first and second runs and will improve again.”
Murtagh looked booked for a double in the Listed Kilboy Estate Stakes before he was mown down by Danny Grant aboard 9-4 favourite She’s Our Mark.
