2021 Kennedy Oaks: Wakeful Stakes Winner Willowy Firms into Single Figures

[Wandering Eyes]

Godolphin appear to have a serious chance in next Thursday’s $1 million Kennedy Oaks with Saturday’s Wakeful winner Willowy.

The three-year-old filly saw a late firm the Ladbrokes market, but still went around at $13.00 odds despite winning her maiden by nearly five lengths at Newcastle three weeks ago.

The in-form Jye McNeil was in the saddle on Saturday and no doubt proved the difference with a well-timed run.

With an even tempo set early, the pair got back before swooping in late, pipping the well-supported Daisies right on the line.

Godolphin trainer James Cummings said her maiden win left plenty of questions to be answered, but that the team always felt she was a filly of ability.

“She was dominant in a very ordinary maiden last time and she could only win, she stepped down and put a bit of a margin on those horses,” Cummings told Racing.com.

“That’s not always a sign of a good filly, but what she’d been showing us at home was a good sign.”

The decision to take the blinkers off ahead of her first look at Flemington also made a difference.

Cummings wouldn’t say whether she’d definitely line up in the Oaks next week, but if she pulls up okay, there appears a strong chance we’ll see her in the three-year-old feature.

“She’s improving rapidly. The filly is nominated for the Oaks, it’s an important conversation for us to have, but if she pulls up absolutely bouncing then we’ll certainly give it consideration to back her up on Thursday,” he went on to say.

Not surprisingly, Willowy has firmed from $17 into $6.00 in Ladbrokes’ 2021 Kennedy Oaks market, while second place-getter Daisies can be found at $7.00.

The 2021 Kennedy Oaks market, courtesy of Ladbrokes, is available here.

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