Blue Bunting kept Vita Nova at bay to win the Darley Yorkshire Oaks
It required a gutsy effort from one of the 3-year-olds to step up and beat the distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs, defeating older horses. Blue Bunting was the one to step up to the plate to cease the opportunity to land her third Group 1 race by winning
the Darley Yorkshire Oaks at York on 18 August, 2011.
The 3-year-old roan filly, Blue Bunting, trained by Mahmood Al Zarooni, displayed a devastating turn of foot when held up at the rear and at the end, fended off Sir Henry Cecil trained Vita Nova, who persistently challenged the filly but didn’t have enough
in her to go past Blue Bunting.
The back to back Classic winner was sent as an 11 to 4 favourite to win the Yorkshire Oaks, and after her delightful victory, she was subsequently trimmed down to 6 to 1 from the earlier odds of 10 to 1, being declared the second favourite to win the St
Leger Stakes for more Classic glory.
Blue Bunting will face colts there for the first time in her 2-year career. The Godolphin filly, under jockey Frank Dettori, got settled towards the rear, as stablemate, Rumh, set up a steady pace under jockey William Buick.
Before turning for home with 3 furlongs to go to the wire, all the big players were getting ready to throw in their challenges to go for the jugular and leave their rivals behind.
Wonder of Wonders was the first one to show her intentions. Her first strike got things going with 3 furlongs to go.
Laughing Lashes was the first one to go down as a major contender to win the race.
Blue Bunting picked up where she left off from the Irish Oaks and responded to the call of hard working Frank Dettori.
Vita Nova got into the picture all of a sudden but Banimpire was the one who looked the most threatening for a moment there.
Under strong urgings from Frank Dettori, Blue Bunting picked up pace as the runners entered the final two furlongs.
It was the beginning of an interesting duel between Blue Bunting and Vita Nova, but Blue Bunting was incredibly game as she stormed past her to hit the wire, defeating her rival by ¾ of a length.
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