Havlin Gets Dream Call-Up On Mehdaayih

[Wandering Eyes]

John Gosden’s go-to stable rider Robert Havlin has been handed the ride on Emirates Park Pty Ltd’s Mehdaayih (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in Friday’s G1 Investec Oaks at Epsom after the owners opted to stay loyal to the jockey who partnered her in her last three outings. Impressive when successful in the May 8 Listed Cheshire Oaks, the bay granddaughter of Sayyedati (GB) (Shadeed) is currently disputing favouritism with Pink Dogwood (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), one of a quartet to race for Aidan O’Brien, among the 13 fillies who stood their ground for the Classic on Wednesday. Frankie Dettori will partner the Gosden-trained six-length May 11 Listed Lingfield Oaks Trial winner Anapurna (GB) (Frankel {GB}) for Helena Springfield Ltd.

Upon the announcement of the news, 45-year-old Havlin referred back to Mehdaayih’s trial win. “I wasn’t surprised to win, but I was surprised by how well she quickened up,” he said. “You wouldn’t think stamina will be a problem the way she finished off her race on easy ground that day. She wears a hood in the paddock and can get on her toes, but once she’s under way she’s very straightforward. Like Anapurna, she wants to get on with things. The pair of them are nimble, light-framed fillies and I don’t expect Epsom will give either of them any issues.”

Second in the Cheshire Oaks, Waverley Racing’s Manuela De Vega (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) has been handed the dreaded stall one which probably played against fellow Ralph Beckett trainee Secret Gesture (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) as that filly was second in 2013. Other high-profile runners to have suffered defeat from that stall number in recent times include Wild Illusion (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Legatissimo (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and Aviate (GB) (Dansili {GB}).

Thursday Action

At ParisLongchamp on Thursday, the Wertheimers’ G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest heroine Polydream (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}) bids to build on a return sixth in the G2 Prix du Muguet at Saint-Cloud on May 1 in an intriguing renewal of the G3 Prix du Palais-Royal. Freddy Head’s stable star won this 12 months ago and he said, “She has to carry a bit of a penalty and give weight away, but she is well anyway and I’m very happy with her. I was disappointed with her last run. The jockey felt maybe she didn’t get the mile, so we’ll try her over seven furlongs and see what happens.”

Andre Fabre saddles Haras de Saint Pair’s Apr. 28 Listed Prix du Pont Neuf scorer Urwald (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}), Pascal Bary puts forward Sutong Pan Racing Bloodstock’s May 12 Listed Prix Maurice Zilber’s Spinning Memories (Ire) (Arcano {Ire}) and James Tate last year’s G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains runner-up Hey Gaman (GB) (New Approach {Ire}). Successful in the Apr. 27 Listed King Richard III S. over this seven-furlong trip at Leicester, Sultan Ali’s 4-year-old boasts some of the best form in the line-up. “He looked like he was in the form of his life at Leicester and we’ve been very happy with him since,” Tate commented. “It doesn’t look the easiest Group 3 there’s ever been–there’s some very respectable horses in it–but we’re very confident of a big run.”

In Germany, the G3 Badener Meile sees Al Asayl Bloodstock’s Mar. 10 Listed Prix Altipan and Mar. 30 G3 Prix Edmond Blanc scorer The Revenant (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) shape up to Khalid Abdullah’s Apr. 3 Listed Heritage S. and Apr. 13 G3 Gladness S. winner Imaging (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) in a strong overseas representation.

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