The Irish Oaks' trio to battle it out in the Yorkshire Oaks on 18 August
The first three winners of the Group 1 Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh on 17 July, 2011, run over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs for 3-year-old fillies, Blue Bunting, Banimpire and Wonder of Wonders, will battle again as they gear up for the Group
1 Darley Yorkshire Oaks for fillies and mares.
The trio will be looking to run over at a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs, after it was confirmed that the first three runners of the Irish Oaks automatically qualify for the Yorkshire Oaks, in a final field of nine.
Vita Nova, trained by Sir Henry Cecil, will be looking for his filly to take it up a notch and make Henry Cecil proud with back to back victories in the Yorkshire Oaks.
Vita Nova got into contention for Sir Henry Cecil after last year's winner, Midday, skipped out of the race in favour of the Juddmonte’s International to be run on 17 August, 2011.
The 4-year-old globetrotting bay filly, Snow Fairy, who finished second to Midday in the Group 1 Nassau Stakes, is going to challenge Midday again as she teams up with the rest of the challengers’, including Crystal Capella.
In the Group 1 Darley Irish Oaks, Blue Bunting took on a field of 8 other fillies under jockey, Frankie Dettori, as the pair settled mid-division with a moderate run coming in to the halfway. Blue Bunting was placed at seventh position.
Under strong urging for Dettori, Blue Bunting got back into the game elevating her position to 5th from 7th with just 3 furlongs to go.
The pair switched to outer with a furlong to go and spurted out with blinding speed to take down one opponent after the other. They ran on gamely to finish on top of the pile and got the lead back on the line to win by a shoulder over Banimpire.
It would be a fascinating battle between Banimpire and Blue Bunting yet again, and not to forget the odds of favourite, Wonder of Wonders.
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